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There it is, plenty of mountains,
beaches, adventures and history,
all at an affordable price. What
are you waiting for your next
trip to South America?
As a matter of fact, if you are
reading this, you have already
decided to go there or, at least
,you are thinking about it. But,
where to? I will show you my three
favorite locations in South America,
you choose by your own.
Peru: Macchu Picchu and The Inca’s
Road
Are you the kind of person interested
in history and archeological marvels
or you would rather go looking
for adventure, and a little (or
more) fun within it? Whatever
option you chose, Peru is the
right place for you to go.
Five hundred years ago, the Spaniards
ransacked and destroyed most of
the legacy of the Inca Civilization.
They could not, however, reach
the sacred city of Macchu Picchu.
These almost intact ruins where
found in the twentieth century,
and access to the city is believed
to have been reserved for the
emperor (the Inca) and the nobility
(Hiran Bingham, founder of the
remains, held that priestesses
were raised and prepared here,
but this is refused by current
scientists)
Macchu Picchu is also some kind
of world spiritual centre, people
of all credos consider it an incredible
point of contact with the spirit.
But reaching the Macchu Picchu
without walking the Inca’s Road,
one of the most spectacular walking
roads of the world, would be a
sin. The Incas had built a road
system only comparable to the
one that the Ancient Romans built.
The best kept part of the Inca’s
road is the one that goes from
Aguas Calientes to Macchu Picchu.
After paying a USD 50 rate (USD
25 for students with international
card), you will be able to start
three unforgettable days in which
you will walk 60 miles of mountains,
with incredible vegetation and
landscape.
The contact with the local people
is one of the most attractive
sides of traveling to South America,
and this is particularly noticeable
on the Inca’s Road.. You will
find several “postas” all along
the way (the antique places where
Incas messengers got rest), and
the natives hired for carrying
the heavy luggage (the “portadores”)
still resemble those antique messengers:
they run at an incredibly rhythm;
when you arrive to the “posta”
they will have already set up
your tent. However, not only rest
is to be expected at the end of
the day: depending on which “posta”
you choose to stop, you can be
received but one of the parties
enjoyed by the innumerable youngsters
that visit Macchu Picchu from
all around the world.
The Inca’s Road is usually preceded
by a visit to Cusco, the capital
of the Inca Empire, and one of
the greatest urban monuments from
Colonial times in Latin America.
Yet, if I were you, I would start
from the Argentine city of Salta,
visit Bolivia, the Titicaca Lake,
and just then go to Cusco. It
is a bit longer, yes, but you
will never forget it.
Brazil, always Brazil
What else can be said of Brazil
that you have not heard about?
Brazil is not a place to be visited
once, it is a place to fall in
love with. Brazil is also one
of the largest countries of the
globe, so my first advice is to
get a travel guide book, and also
one of those promotional plane
tickets including 5 destinations
for a reduced price.
Brazilians are worldwide known
for their eternal smile and happiness;
they tend to have less prejudices
regarding human relations. That
may be the reason why you will
find a party almost wherever you
find a Brazilian. Although Rio
is “the” place for nightclubs,
discos, and related events, the
entire coast of Brazil is a permanent
party.
If you are planning a trip for
two, let me recommend you Trindage,
an almost unnoticed place between
Rio and Sao Paulo. The road ends
at Parati, a beautiful beach town
known for its Colonial architecture.
After Parati, you will have to
walk 8 kms. (around 3 miles).
Renting a car is an option too,
but I prefer hitchhiking. Every
night there are reggae parties
on the beach, and the sky is so
clean that you will see several
falling stars. You can a take
a bath in of the rivers of the
zone, but please remember not
using soap in order to keep the
environment unpolluted.
For those who enjoy adventures,
the Amazon is a huge challenge.
If you want to visit the jungle
but without taking big risks,
it is always nice to visit the
mythic city of Manaos, with its
Opera and its glorious past. Manaos
is today a tax-free zone, so you
may also find very cheap electronic
devices.
Buenos Aires: the most pretentious
city in South America
I was not surprised when I read
that a London magazine has chosen
Buenos Aires as the ‘sexiest city
in the world’. With most of its
population of European origins,
and the frenzy proper of a big
city, Buenos Aires has an incredible
night life. Fancy nightclubs and
pubs (accessible to the tourist,
because of the low local currency,
the Argentine Peso) are concurred
by both young and mature people.
I would recommend going to one
of the exclusive restaurants located
in Puerto Madero, eat some Argentine
meat, and then start the night
at the Recoleta, the fanciest
zone in Buenos Aires. You will
ask yourself whether you are in
Milan or Paris (do not dear to
remind an Argentine they are from
South America, they will get mad
at you!).
Culturally, Buenos Aires is the
most active city in South America.
Writers, film directors, philosophers
and artists of all kind are usually
in the city giving performances
or conferences.
If you like Theater, Corrientes
Av. is some sort of local Broadway,
all along which you will find
uncountable spectacles. Of course,
you cannot leave Buenos Aires
without visiting the Colon Theatre,
the most refined of its kind in
South America.
During the day, you can visit
San Telmo square, place of bohemians
and artists, home of Tango, the
Argentine typical dance. You can
always go to a “tangueria” (tango
bar) and get some lessons or just
enjoy the sensual movements of
the dancers.
For the weekend, going to a soccer
match is a must. If you want to
go to the biggest stadium in Argentina,
go to the River Plate Stadium.
However, if you prefer something
slightly smaller but much more
intense, go to the antagonist
Boca Juniors Stadium, where 60,000
souls tight in a reduced space
make literally vibrate the concrete.
Soccer is not just a sport for
the Argentines, it is a passion.
Although Argentine beaches are
not famous, you can enjoy several
near Buenos Aires.
The most crowded is Mar del Plata,
but the most beautiful is perhaps
Necochea. If you are thinking
on going a little more to the
south, you can visit Las Grutas,
the most southern beach where
you can take a bath (below that,
it is freezing cold). As a matter
of fact, this would be an excellent
excuse for visiting the entire
Patagonia, with the lakes, the
mountains and the Pampa, but this
is subject for another article
on traveling to South America…
Additional resources and information
can be found by going to: http://www.TravelToSouthAmerica.com
Jason Gadayan is an author and
contributor to http://www.TravelToSouthAmerica.com
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