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South America is a wonderful part of the world to explore, combining
ancient cultures with the historical interest that comes with the
colonial influences on the region. It is also one of the most beautiful
and diverse areas of the world, with some spectacular natural scenes to
enjoy, so definitely the year to discover some of the gems that
the continent has to offer. If you are struggling for inspiration about
where to visit in South America this year, here are some suggestions to
fire your imagination.
Cartagena, Colombia
On
the north coast of Colombia facing on to the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena
is a city that has a long history and a diverse population, as it was
one of the first sanctuaries for freed slaves in the country, which is
still seen today in the city's vibrant and exciting atmosphere. The city
also has a wonderful old town, with the city walls offering a view of
the defensive positions once taken on this coast, while the colonial
history is also very interesting, with a charming cathedral and some
beautiful old streets to explore.
Arequipa, Peru
The beautiful 'White
City' of Peru is named because of the distinctive stone that was used to
build many of the historic buildings here, and this has led to parts of
the city being recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The
Convent of Santa Catalina is a huge religious complex that is largely
open to the public and is an amazing colorful series of buildings that
is great to explore, while the city also has a great series of churches.
Yasuni National Park, Ecuador[post_ads_2]
This
remote national park is in the eastern part of Ecuador near the border
with Peru, with a territory between the two major rivers of Napo and
Curaray, with the area mainly comprising of moist rainforest. The park
is well known for its amazing biodiversity, with amphibians and reptiles
prospering in the area, and nearly six hundred species of bird to be
spotted there. The area is also home to several remote tribes of
indigenous people, including two who remain completely cut off from the
rest of the world.
The Atacama Desert, Chile
This
high altitude plateau takes up a large proportion of the Pacific coast
of South America, stretching for over six hundred miles and covering the
territory of four countries, namely Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.
Despite being one of the driest places on earth, it is also strangely
beautiful, with areas such as the Valle de la Luna having been named for
its similarity to the lunar landscape, while species such as lizards
and flamingos have adapted to flourish in this hard landscape.
Recife, Brazil
The
capital of the state of Pernambuco, Recife is a coastal city which sees
two important rivers flow into the Atlantic, which helped its early
development to become one of the most important economic centers in the
country. As well as being a host for the World Cup in 2014, the city is
well known for a wonderful series of beaches, and a strong historic
presence in the old town with a series of churches, along with the
oldest synagogue in South America.
Punta del Este, Uruguay
Located
across the Rio de la Plata from Argentina, this beach resort is one of
the most popular destinations in Uruguay, and is famous for its
beautiful sands and the casinos and activities that draw visitors to
this part of the country. The Casa Pueblo is a beautiful building
designed by local artist Paez-Vilario, while the beaches are where most
people choose to relax, with swimming, sailing, jet-skiing and surfing
all popular activities in the area.
Georgetown, Guyana
This
fascinating capital is one which has certainly got an atmosphere that
is as much Caribbean as it is South American, and the heart of the city
is well known for the colonial buildings that were mainly built by the
Dutch settlers who colonized this part of the continent. St George's
Anglican Church is one of the oldest wooden buildings on the continent
and is a great place to explore, while those looking to enjoy themselves
will find that rum is the local drink, with the Demerara Rum Distillery
a great place to learn more.
