From the globe’s largest rainforest to world-class steak and historic civilizations, South America has quite a bit to supply.
However the place are its highlights – and the place do you have to depart off your itinerary?
Right here that will help you plan a visit is intrepid traveller, Alex Brown, who has visited each single nation on the continent.
In a chat with MailOnline Journey, the 31-year-old Brit reveals which of the continent’s 12 nations is his favorite, the place the most secure locations are and which standard spot he’d suggest avoiding.
One of the best nation
Alex, who has visited 73 nations, says that Argentina is his favorite vacation spot in South America, explaining: ‘It is simply acquired among the finest landscapes on the planet. There’s the glaciers in Patagonia, the Beagle Channel the place you possibly can see sea lions after which within the north you’ve got acquired Iguazu Falls (the biggest waterfall system on the planet).
‘And Buenos Aires (the capital) has acquired the very best meals on the planet in my view. The steak is superb and it is actually low cost. The economic system is a little bit of a large number down there, so costs change just about each day however once I was final there just a few months in the past, it was about £10 for all-you-can-eat steak.’
The most secure nations
Alex Brown, 31, has visited each single nation in South America. He is pictured above within the desert in Huacachina, Peru
Alex, who has visited 73 nations, says that Argentina is his favorite vacation spot in South America. Pictured above is Buenos Aires
Alex describes Peru as one among South America’s most secure nations. At Machu Picchu above
There’s one more reason that Alex thinks Argentina needs to be prime of your South America bucket record.
‘It is actually secure,’ reveals Alex. ‘You will not actually have any issues there. And that is not the case for each nation in South America.’
In relation to security, the eager traveller additionally recommends Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay and Peru.
Probably the most harmful nations
On the different finish of the protection scale for Alex are Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. He explains: ‘The Galapagos islands in Ecuador are actually secure however the mainland is dodgy lately. They’ve had a state of emergency there attributable to clashes between the federal government and drug cartels.
‘I spent about six weeks in Colombia and by no means had something go unsuitable however in case you keep in hostels, you may ultimately meet somebody who has been mugged there.’
And whereas Alex explains that Venezuela has ‘grow to be quite a bit safer’ lately, it is ‘positively not a newbie nation’ and he does not suggest travelling there with no ‘fluent Spanish speaker’.
Probably the most underrated nation
Alex describes Argentina as his favorite nation on the continent. He is pictured above on the nation’s Perito Moreno Glacier
If you happen to’re seeking to get off-the-beaten-track, Alex describes Bolivia as essentially the most ‘underrated’ nation on the continent and it is also a discount for Brits.
He says: ‘Plenty of American vacationers do not go there as a result of they must pay $160/£120 for a visa, whereas Brits go visa free. La Paz is a very attention-grabbing metropolis and you too can go to El Alto, which is the very best metropolis on the planet. You possibly can see cholita wrestling (indigenous girls) there – it will get a bit repetitive after some time but it surely’s cool to see one.
‘Then there are the Uyuni salt flats, that are one of many coolest sights on the planet. We additionally went to the Amazon the place you possibly can take a ship journey down the river and see waterfalls and caves.’
However whereas Alex explains that Bolivia is not usually unsafe when it comes to crime, there are nonetheless risks to be careful for.
‘In Bolivia, the true risks are the roads. The site visitors there may be horrendous,’ says Alex. ‘The roads simply wind across the mountains and there are additionally no security requirements on excursions there in any respect. I ended up sinking in quicksand on an Amazon tour. I acquired off the boat and inside seconds, I used to be knee-deep in mud. Our information did not say something so presumably he is performed this a number of instances earlier than!’
Alex provides: ‘We additionally drank some sugar cane juice that had been produced in a tribal village within the Amazon they usually put it in a container which most likely hadn’t been washed hygienically. All three of us who drank it grew to become fairly in poor health.’
Paraguay additionally earns an honourable point out as an ‘underrated vacation spot’. Alex reveals: ‘It does not have a lot when it comes to vacationer points of interest however you go there for the tradition. There are nice high quality steakhouses as effectively.’
The vacation spot to keep away from
LEFT: Alex mountaineering the Cocora Valley in Colombia. RIGHT: Alex in entrance of the Moai statues on Easter Island in Chile
‘Copacabana Seashore can also be actually overrated, to be sincere. Dawn is good there at 5 am however when it will get to daytime, it is simply so busy,’ says Alex
And the nation to depart off your bucket record? Brazil, in accordance with Alex, who says ‘it did not actually ship’.
He explains: ‘We did not prefer it that a lot. We went to Florianopolis on the coast, it is well-known for superb seashores, however we did not actually agree with that. Plenty of them have been fairly touristy and there have been a great deal of folks there. There’s nothing particular about them.
‘Then there’s Sao Paulo. It is a very gloomy metropolis and there is not a lot of curiosity there. It is also fairly harmful. There’s someplace known as ‘Cracolandia’ there which is named that as a result of there are a great deal of drug addicts. They simply roam the streets like zombies and it isn’t secure in any respect. They will not hurt you however it’s kind of uncomfortable. It is completely not a spot the place you need to be after darkish.’
In the meantime Brazil’s prime vacation spot, Rio de Janeiro, did not impress Alex in any respect.
He says: ‘There’s a great deal of crime there. Folks have been shot simply after by accident turning down the unsuitable road. It’s best to by no means put on jewelry there since you make your self a goal.
‘Copacabana Seashore can also be actually overrated, to be sincere. Dawn is good there at 5 am however when it will get to daytime, it is simply so busy. Folks arrange tents and begin promoting stuff, it is actually crowded and there is nothing pleasurable about it actually. If Rio was secure it could be vacation spot, however you do must spend half your time wanting over your shoulder.’
Need extra from Alex? Discover suggestions and recommendation on his weblog adventuretoeverycountry.com
