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!
Contributed by Addie Davis
