Have you ever wanted to travel to South America, but you aren’t sure which countries you should visit? Do you want to truly get to know South American culture, but you don’t know how to accomplish that? Although every country is amazing to visit, here are five South American countries that should be on the top of your bucket list:

1. Peru

Lush, historical, and diverse, Peru has a little bit of everything. Do you love the outdoors? From beautiful emerald forests to awesome beach waves to giant mountains, Peru will leave you breathless. Or maybe you like history? Visit Machu Picchu, a discovered site of Inca ruins, and see beautiful Peru along the hike. You’ll get a taste of the culture, too, when you volunteer with Peruvian children in historic Cusco. It will make your trip unforgettable.

2. Chile

Chile is another South American country that needs be on your bucket list. Though on the globe it looks like a thin strip of land, Chile offers a lot to see and do in person. The country is covered mostly by the Andes Mountains, offering some great snowy landscapes that can’t be missed. When you want to warm up, hop on a boat and journey the short distance to Easter Island, where you can see the large Moai head statues. If you are daring, hike Chile’s Patagonia and see incredible views of mountains.

3. Ecuador

Don’t miss out on Ecuador while you’re traveling through South America! Journey to the famous Galapagos Islands just a short ways from Ecuador’s coast, where you won’t only get to see amazing animals that have developed primarily independently from continental species, but you can work with those animals to protect them. You may not want to leave when you’re done! Ecuador also holds part of the Amazon rainforest. You can experience native cultures and traditions, and see even more wild animals. Awesome and unique, Ecuador is definitely a worthwhile country to see.

4. Bolivia

Bolivia is not often glorified as a South American country that you have to see…but it should be. True, you have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone to see Bolivia. The incredible mountains and various natural features don’t always make travel easy, but the views are so worth the effort. One thing you don’t want to miss while in Bolivia is the Salar de Uyuni, a vast salt flat. While this doesn’t sound attractive, when wet, the flat transforms into a reflection of the sky, making it a heavenly sight that is found nowhere else on earth.

5) Brazil

Finally, a chat about South American countries would not be complete without mentioning Brazil. In Brazil, there are nearly infinite adventures, outdoor activities, and nature experiences to enjoy. You can visit Iguazu Falls, a magnificent range of mighty waterfalls that you can stroll alongside. Or, if you want to see a “zoo,” head to the Pantanal wetlands where unique animals roam and thrive. And don’t forget that Brazil is hosting the 2016 Olympics, too! With its colorful, spontaneous attitude towards life, Brazil is a South American country that is a lot of fun to visit.

Remember that you could travel to Peru and the Galapagos Islands through Global Leadership Adventures! So which of these cool South American countries do you want to visit the most? Tell us in the comments below!

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Contributed by Addie Davis

In today’s age, it’s pretty easy to get caught up in the simplicity of exploring the world from our fingertips. With almost no time, effort, or money, we can use the internet to transport ourselves halfway across the globe and experience virtually all that a place has to offer. But that’s the thing, “virtually.” By forgoing the actual travel, we miss out on some of the most incredible aspects of the experience, and deprive ourselves of the opportunities and challenges presented by physically leaving what we find comfortable and venturing out into the unknown. It’s intimidating and nerve-racking, sure, but that’s what makes these adventures so exciting! They’re unpredictable, and can often lead to some of the most amazing sights, sounds, memories, and friendships. So as we continue to move through life, let’s look for and seize as many of these opportunities as we can, and if you need a few great places to start, try checking out these Five Amazing Places for Gen Z & Millennials:

China

As such a large and diverse country, it’s almost more difficult to not start an adventure here than it is to stumble across one. Whether you favor major cities, like Shanghai and Beijing, or the most remote places on Earth, like the jungles of Motuo, you can find almost any setting to match your ideal destination. Plus, it’s really easy on the wallet! Average prices in China are much lower than in the US, and for only $0.30, you can ride the subway or buy an entire meal!

Fiji

While many people have heard of this collection of islands East of Australia, not many seem to know much about it. For example, did you know that it has an incredibly prosperous economy, thanks in large part to a wealth of natural resources, and is home to almost a million people? Fiji has a number of other amazing characteristics, and some of the best can only be discovered by venturing around some of the 300+ beautiful islands belonging to this archipelago.

India

Unfortunately known by some as impoverished and densely populated, India has an incredibly rich history, and a uniquely vast culture that will take you far beyond its appearance. When visiting, you can travel anywhere from the mountains that border Nepal, to the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal or Hampi, which rank among some of the most beautiful historical structures in the world.

Indonesia

Another extraordinary place to visit in the Asia Pacific is Indonesia, a country known for one of the most active volcanic regions on the planet, as well as an impressively biodiverse environment, being home a variety of species like Tigers, Rhinoceros, Leopards, and Orangutans. But the diversity doesn’t just happen on land. Indonesia has one of the most varied aquatic environments as well, so next time you visit, try snorkeling above one of its many coral reefs.

Thailand

Just north of Indonesia is Thailand, and this country is not only home to one of America’s favorite foreign foods, but it also some of the most unbelievable ruins and villages in all of the Asia Pacific region. If you’ve ever seen an old James Bond movie, and wondered where those beautifully sharp-faced islands reside, try exploring the frequently visited islands just off the coast. You might recognize the scenery!

But wherever your journey begins, make sure to do everything you can to absorb the settings around you. Computers, and the internet, are amazing technological advances, and have provided a wealth of knowledge, but some of the best things can only be experienced by being there in person.

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Contributed by Spencer Scholes

School is out and a summer full of possibilities is ahead of you. While most of your friends might be getting jobs as camp counselors, working at the local diner, or doing SAT prep, why not dare to be different and take an adventure to discover a new culture or improve your Spanish. Don’t know where to go or think traveling anywhere of note is too far? Here are some places to check out that are right in America’s backyard.

1. Guatemala
Can’t decide if you would rather spend a day amongst centuries old Mayan ruins, go adventuring in a giant lake or climb up volcanos? Then why not do all three in Guatemala! With a countryside full of natural wonders and manmade cultures to explore, Guatemala is the perfect place to get a taste of everything that Central America has to offer. Yet even after all this sightseeing, at the end of the day, your best memory might be about that great deal you brokered in the market all because your Spanish impressed the shop keep.

2. Costa Rica
Why not visit a country where you can spend your morning at a beautiful waterfall in the jungle and your afternoon playing soccer with locals on the beach? With a vibrant landscape to challenge you physically, and a hearty group of people to engage in cultural exchanges with, come see firsthand why Ticos are proud of their country and come back home as an honorary member.

3. Mexico
If you love Salsa both ways—eating and dancing, then Mexico is the perfect place for you. With a rich fusion between ancient and modern cultures and an even tastier food culture, you will be hard pressed to find another country with as much nourishment for your brain as well as your stomach anywhere in the world. If you’re up for an adventure, ask for some Tacos de Lengua on the street.

4. Dominican Republic
Though it might be known more for its all-inclusive resorts, there is more to the D.R then just frozen drinks with cute little umbrellas attached. Come explore the side of this country that most tourists don’t see by volunteering with local villages and helping out beautiful wildlife that looks even more spectacular up close than what you see on Nat Geo HD back home.

5. Cuba
Have the unique chance to both see living history of a gone-by-era and make your own history by being one of the first to visit Cuba since the 1960’s embargo. With the US opening up travel with our island neighbor, be one of the first to take in the sights, sounds, and Cubanos of a nation eager to share their world with a new generation of Americans.

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Contributed by Matt Zonis

Have you ever wondered what life is like anywhere else but where you are? You’ve lived in the same house and grown up with the same people all your life. Days all look the same and nothing seems new…or exciting. You are looking forward to college just to get Out of Here. Good thing this planet has so many pockets of adventure and places of unforgettable potential. Where will you start and how will you get there? Here are some ideas for your next life trek with the added awesomeness of helping others:

1. Costa Rica

Costa Rica may seem like a far-off jungle of adventure, but it really is (and feels) as close as your backyard. A rich landscape of rain forests, coffee and banana plantations, butterfly fields, waterfalls, and bet-you-never-thought-you’d-do-this opportunities, it is the perfect spot to get involved with friendly locals who love where they live and who they are and need your help.

2. Peru

Did you ever daydream in history class and wonder how roads were made or who laid the stones of the first paths to wind through mountains and uncharted territory? What if you could still walk them today to find at the end one of the oldest surviving examples of an ancient way of life? Score some points for your next history project! Get your pack on and walk the road of the Incas, a trip that will take you back in time and make you marvel at the ability of people to survive anything, anywhere, while helping a local village plant a garden that will feed them for a lifetime, just like the old days.

3. Tanzania

You can hear the rumbling footsteps of one of nature’s most loveable animals in the distance. You may even feel a little like young Indiana Jones sitting in an open-air Jeep stalking packs of elephants and antelope, looking for hidden mud puddles of bathing hippos and undiscovered secrets your friends back at home won’t believe. You couldn’t be farther from the four walls of your room and all your unfinished homework, and Africa will live on with you in every tale you tell and paper you write long after the adventure is over. The real A+ will come from the locals whose school you helped build.

4. Bali

It’s hot. And humid. Even the air here smells different. Some call it the “Island of the Gods.” Rising before you are the greenest mountain peaks you have ever seen. Go ahead. Climb them. That ocean will make you want to invent a word to describe it. You can dive its turquoise waters or surf its southern tip to find out for yourself what makes this tropical paradise and its people so unforgettable. But before you head home, you will be welcomed by the local people whose classrooms you helped construct and see Bali friends and family as only an insider can.

5. China

Whether you are walking the Beijing streets riddled with artisans’ stands selling things you’ve never even seen before, or taking a ride down a winding country road that leads to the village where you can help children learn; whether you yourself are the student and are learning the fine art of Chinese cooking or calligraphy; you take will home with you more than you would have gotten out of your social studies video during 4th period. It’s a lifetime packed into one never-to-be-forgotten trip.