South American ideas

[Softleftpowerstance]

DP and I (no kids) would like to visit South America in November or December. We can take two weeks off work and would be on a moderate budget - not a shoe string but probably can’t stretch to too many internal flights etc.

We like a combination of cities and mountains, would like some beach time but not looking to spend days on the beach.

Has anyone got recommendations for where is safeish and interesting to visit? I’m keen on Peru, DP likes Uruguay. I’d love to visit Colombia but DP is a bit more nervous about the safety.

Beaches aren't so great on the west coast.

Uruguay is quite small, so you would probably need to combine it with Argentina. The mountains in Argentina are in the west though so further away to access. Would you consider internal flights? Patagonia is nice, but busy at that time of year.

Colombia would tick all your boxes. Mountains, nice beaches and old cities. Street level crime is high in most of South America. I don't think Colombia is any worse, but it is a while since I went.

Peru does have some beaches and obviously nice old cities too.

If you have the money, then Ecuador and the Galapagos would be worth it.

If you can skip the beaches and have less money, then Bolvia has great mountains and the salt planes are pretty stunning.

Chile is possibly the safest (with out of date info caveat) and also has mountains and some old towns. The mountains are easily accessed and getting around is easier than Peru/Colombia/Bolivia.

Finally, there is Brazil. Good for beaches less good for mountains. But you could go to the Pantanal, for example, instead.

Thank you, that’s really helpful. We can definitely stretch to some internal flights, and having done some more research I think it’s probably required to make a two week itinerary work. I’m quite taken by the idea of Colombia and Ecuador or Ecuador and Peru at the moment.

Do Peru or Ecuador not both. The Galapagos is expensive because to see anything you must go to different islands on a boat. There must be a guide - you cannot DIY.

The Pacific coast doesn’t have great beaches in Peru, from what I could see. However you can do a mix of flights and train to see the best of Peru. We used Families Worldwide but there are plenty of others that use reasonable accommodation but don’t charge the Earth. Peru is wonderful. You can go to Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, Arequipa and the Sacred Valley. You won’t be disappointed. Ecuador is fantastic too. The towns and markets are wonderful and their cloud Forrest is well worth a visit. Both have fantastic rainforest that’s accessible. However, check the weather for when you want to visit. We went to Peru in July and Ecuador in April.

If you want mountains, the Andes can be visited in Argentina and Chile. Not sure about beaches in Argentina but I think there are resorts within reach of Buenos Aires. Specialist Latin America tour operators would know. We used Steppes Travel when we went to Argentina and I couldn’t recommend it more highly. It’s a great country to visit and some accommodation is very reasonably priced.

A better bet for beaches is Brazil. Paraty is not far from Rio (where there is the huge Copacabana and Ipanema). However there are resorts dotted up the Atlantic coast which are lovely. The colonial towns of Minas Gerais are fantastic to visit and Iguassu Falls won’t disappoint.

I have been to all these countries and if you don’t show off jewellery and keep hold of your bag, they are safe. If locals say an area is not for tourists, take note and believe them.

Belize - its an unusual destination, with brilliant mayan ruins, howler monkey forests, jungle, small island hopping, snorkelling the lot. would go back there like a shot if I could. really safe to drive around but you need a 4X4 and the accommodation can be anything from bottom budget to top dollar.

Bubbles why do you advise against combining the two, too hectic? I think we’d rule out the Galápagos for cost reasons and also we’re not crazy about being locked into organised groups. Although it seems like a guide is required for so much, eg Inca Trail.

Flights to Belize seem particularly tricky, so that’s put us off.

Peru! We backpacked SA years ago and Peru was my absolute favourite. It's a gorgeous country.

Amazon, Inca trail, lake Titicaca, Sacred Valley. It's stunning.

DH and DD went to Peru this year - Amazon and Inca Trail - loved it, although DH struggled a bit with altitude. They used Intrepid, who apart from one or two little niggles, were good.

We flew into the USA and then down or you can fly into mexico and take the bus/internal flight. it really wasn't that much of a faff not to go somewhere that had so much and was not swarming with tourists.

Hello softleft. I think you fail to actually see the best of a country if you rush around. Peru is quite big and you need some internal flights anyway to make the most of your time. Ecuador is the gateway to the Galapagos and there is fabulous sightseeing in Ecuador and then you have a 3 hour flight to the Galapagos. It depends what you want of course but I think enjoying a country and getting to know it is better than flying around just touching the surface.

South American countries all seem great to me with fantastic variety of scenery, things to do and great food. You won’t go wrong with whatever you choose.

I think we’d rule out the Galápagos for cost reasons and also we’re not crazy about being locked into organised groups. Although it seems like a guide is required for so much, eg Inca Trail.

I think the Galapagos and the Inca trail are probably the only two things that you must have a guide for. There are quite a lot of things that people visit on guided day trips, but that is mostly for the convenience of transport and to avoid getting lost e.g. geysers of El Tatio

We really enjoyed being in a group when we have opted for that. Lots of things are optional anyway. We did Peru in a group and on the boat in the Galapagos, but nowhere else in Latin America. However an agent organised everything - internal flights and hotels. If you only gave two weeks you do need to know where you are going and when. The Rainforest is also organised! You cannot wander off on your own there!

There is a difference between Latin America and Central America. Belize and Costs Rica are the latter. They do not have quite the same Spanish/Portuguese, Inca or pre Columbian history for example.