Latin America is one of the world’s most exciting travel destinations, yet it remains relatively undiscovered by many holidaymakers. Latin America includes 21 countries – Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay in South America; Mexico in North America; Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama in Central America; and Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in the Caribbean
Why Latin America
Latin Americans are a pan-ethnicity consisting of people of different ethnic and national backgrounds. The region has the largest diasporas of Spaniards, Portuguese, Black Africans, Italians, Lebanese and Japanese in the world. As a result, they identify themselves with a combination of their nationality, ethnicity and their ancestral origins.
There’s a tremendous variety of experiences on offer in South and Central America, from mountains and jungle to. From the Andes Mountains to the Amazon Rainforest to volcanoes, crater lakes, cloud forests, salt flats, vibrant cities and paradise beaches, there is a huge number of incredible natural attractions to see there as well.
More so, public transport in South America is affordable as well. Flights to places like Brazil and Argentina can be quite expensive, but there are lots of other cheap South American vacations to take. So you can always fly into a cheap country and take buses around the continent from there.
Overall, South America is full of some fascinating countries full of history, culture, and amazing cuisine.
Best summer places to visit
Brazil
Brazil has some of the world’s finest beaches along a 5,000-mile coastline. You can stay in hip hotels, dance to samba, try your hand at surfing and watch dolphins from the shore. A visit to Rio de Janeiro is a must, and it’s a place to enjoy life, dining at churrascaria steak houses, drinking caipirinha cocktails and dancing until the early hours.
You’ll be swept up in the magic of Rio de Janeiro as you marvel at Christ the Redeemer, the city beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon are spectacular, and the big tourist draws of Sugar Loaf and Corcovado don’t disappoint.
Brazil is also increasingly popular with other places such as the beaches of the Costa Verde and the Pantanal, the largest wetland on the planet, where you can stay on a working cattle ranch, go in search of jaguar and go piranha fishing. There is the wealth of flora and fauna and opportunities to observe in the popular Amazon.
There is also Sao Paulo, the largest city in South America. Sao Paulo’s cuisine and art is as multinational as its diverse population of 10 million. Sao Paulo isn’t just for dining, there are world-class museums, diverse and vibrant neighbourhood tours, and crazy-good shopping.
There are other interesting places snowland (a unique indoor snow park) in the village of Gramado,
Chile
The phrase “Land of contrasts” is a travel brochure cliche, but Chile really does offer staggeringly diverse and dramatic experiences, from the salt canyons and volcanoes of the Atacama Desert in the north – one of the driest places on Earth – to the icebergs and glacial fjords of the Torres del Paine National Park down south in Patagonia.
The capital Santiago has plenty of charm and is close to many renowned vineyards. You can also spend time on beaches and go hiking in the Lake District.
But one treat you should not miss is a trip to Easter Island which is not just one of the most remote places on Earth, but its ancient monumental statues, known as moai, will mystify and astound you.
Peru
Most people that have travelled in South America rank Peru amongst their favourite destinations. There is a plethora of adventures, cultural sights, natural beauty and luxury to enjoy. It is one of the places to go to for cheap south american beach vacations
One of the most impressive places to visit in Peru is Macha Picchu; one of the most famous landmarks in the world. Machu Picchu is a historic Incan city built high in the Andes Mountains in southern Peru. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is actually very affordable and easy to visit. You can get hotels & guest houses as low as N11000 according to Trip advisor .
Not far from Machu Picchu is Cusco, a city in Peru that acts as the perfect getaway for visiting Machu Picchu. There are tons of cheap apartments where you can meet other travellers, book tours, and party. Cusco’s nightlife is fun and affordable, and there are lots of local markets offering colourful handmade goods and heaping plates of cheap local food.
Colombia
Colombia has quickly emerged as one of the continent’s most exciting destinations – easy to get around, safe and welcoming with incredibly diverse culture. Visiting Colombia is one of the cheapest and most interesting South American summer vacations, mainly because of the beautiful beaches in the country. As a cheaper alternative to visiting a tropical Caribbean Island, consider going to Cartagena, Colombia. This port city is a popular place in Colombia, mainly due to its attractive historic old town, exciting nightlife, and nearby beaches.
Playa Blanca is the most popular beach near the city, accessible by a 40-minute boat ride. It is located on Isla Baru, a fun tourist island with gorgeous beaches and cheap local eateries. Playa de Castillogrande, Playa de Bocagrande, and La Boquilla are also beautiful beaches that are easily accessible by walking or driving from the city centre in Cartagena.
The Colombian capital, Bogota has become an important business centre in Latin America. It has a huge concentration of tourists that visit the country, making the city a cosmopolitan pearl full of culture, art, and good vibes.
Mexico
Mexico is a destination that has it all – fascinating history, spectacular coastlines, buzzing nightlife and a unique culture. No matter what you’re visiting for, be it beach holidays or cultural getaways, you won’t be disappointed. Mexico offers the dreamy beaches of the Caribbean at an amazing price. A different kind of Caribbean experience with the same great weather and stunning surroundings. It gives you the perfect combination of city break and beach holiday
Aside from the beaches, you’ll also find breath-taking verdant jungle and impressive Mayan ruins at Xcaret. Alongside this natural beauty and fascinating history, this part of Mexico is also home to some of the world’s most luxurious resorts, which place an emphasis on customer service, lavish amenities and fantastic food.
The resorts are centred around the city of Cancun with beachside properties & pulsating nightlife running all the way down the Riviera Maya. A short ferry ride away is the island of Cozumel, which has allures of fantastic scuba diving and ancient archaeological sites.
There is an A-list resort city where the party never stops – Cabo San Lucas, located on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. From a relaxing cruise on the serene waters of the Sea of Cortez to frenzied conga lines and tequila shots at Coco Bongo, Cabo will take you through its peaks and troughs from day to night. Playa El Médano is Cabo’s main beach, with outdoor restaurants and numerous bars.
Argentina
Argentina has long been connected with a host of riveting attractions, from the Andes and Iguazu Falls to cityscapes, regional cuisine and a rich culture. Holidays here are made up of the extraordinary, making this a destination worthy of wanderlust. The bustling Buenos Aires, the country’s capital is one of South America’s most captivating cities
Argentine barbecues are to die for and what better way to experience it than at a traditional estancia coupled with delicious local wines.
Enjoy a night at the spectacular Iguassu Falls, the world’s largest series of waterfalls, which is in between Argentina and Brazil.
You will also be welcome to the Argentine Patagonia, in a route of seven lakes each one with waters of a different colour.
Usually, our summer coincides with the Argentine winter – this is the perfect time to visit Bariloche – a unique place of snow-capped mountains for skiing or snowboarding.
There is also Puerto Madryn, a special must-see place in Argentina for those who enjoy nature. Sea lions and whales appear here between June and December.
Ecuador
Sitting directly on the equator is Ecuador, a nation of glacier-capped volcanoes, majestic waterfalls and thick jungle. Nestled in the heart of the Andes, the capital city of Quito is another highlight of a trip to Ecuador. Here you’ll see some of the most impressive architecture in South America.
You’ll also explore the capital’s major landmarks and attend an Ecuadorian cooking masterclass before hiking and horse riding in Cotopaxi National Park, which is dominated by the 19,347ft Cotopaxi volcano.
Hike around the emerald green Quilotoa crater lake, cycle the Baños Waterfall Route and go whitewater rafting in the Amazon rainforest, before wrapping up your trip with a soak in hot springs in Papallacta.
Seeing marine iguanas or giant tortoises in the wild are just some of the rewards of a trip to Ecuador. Interestingly, Ecuador is one of the safest countries in Latin America.
