Six Awesome Reasons to Visit South America

​Guest Post:  Max Channing

When it comes to choosing a destination for your next vacation, it's common for people to overlook South America. Most people's first instinct is to think of Europe or Australia. However, there are many reasons to visit South America instead.

If you're looking for a big city alive throughout the night, look no further than Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. Anyone fan of history and Indiana Jones will love Machu Picchu, Patagonia, and exploring the Andes. The list of reasons why you're next vacation should be in South America is endless.

We hope this list of the six most important ones will inspire you to explore South America further. If there is anything we can guarantee about South America, it'll offer you unforgettable memories.

1 The Delicious Cuisine
South America has some of the most amazing cuisines in the world. All of the food here is delicious. In most cases, the best way to experience authentic South American cuisine is to try street food. You'll find everything from sweets to savory food on the streets of South American cities. Local vendors will set up shop on a street corner every morning and start preparing their delicious foods.

Top four foods to look out for

• Papas Rellenas – This is a type of croquet. It's a potato-based dough stuffed with a filling. The filling is usually a mix of beef, onions, olives, and an array of spices;
• Milanesa – This is a thin slice of meat, shallow-fried in breadcrumbs and beaten eggs. The slices are usually cooked one at a time. Milanesa was first brought to South America by Italian immigrants, but now the recipe has many authentic South American variations;
• Alfajores – At their core, South American alfajores are two round cookies with a sweet filling between them. The most popular choice is caramelized milk, although there are many local variations;
• Empanadas – These are a type of fried (or sometimes baked) turnover. Empanadas are made by folding dough over a savory filling and then cooking it. If you choose Chile for your next vacation, make sure that you try the empanadas. They are part of the traditional cuisine of Chile.

​2 Amazing Destinations on a Budget
South America is perfect for you if you're looking for a travel destination that will allow you to stick to a tight budget. One of the most popular reasons to visit South America is the fact that it's incredibly affordable.

How much you'll save depends on where you'll stay. You'll get the best savings if you stay outside the larger cities. However, this shouldn't dishearten you since transportation is also very cheap there. When it comes to your day-to-day food, transportation and accommodation should be of no concern. For example, it's possible to buy a week's worth of lunches for as little as 15 bucks!

Most people stay in South America for a long time because it's so affordable. However, if you plan on doing that as well, it's crucial to account for expenses back home. For example, if you're from Manhattan, you might want to hire a house sitter to keep your home safe.

Or you may want to go to a storage facility and rent out a safe unit for your items. That way, you won't have to worry about your valuables, and you'll be able to fully enjoy your stress-free vacation.

3 The People Are Very Welcoming
The people of South America are sure to make you feel at home when you travel there. Because of the kind culture of the people who live there, the sense of community in South America is incredibly strong.

Most of the younger generations speak English, so it's easy to make friends and socialize with them. And if you learn some Spanish, you can expect high praise from locals. People you pass by on the street always flash a smile in your direction. Even if you are traveling alone, friendly people will make it, so you never feel lonely.

4 The Unique Landscapes
Another one of the biggest reasons to visit South America is the picturesque and unique landscapes. Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when discussing the natural beauty of South America is the stunning mountains and forests. However, there is so much more than that. Out of the countless hidden gems of nature, we recommend checking out the waterfalls of Iguazu and Salar de Uyuni.

The waterfalls of IguazuYou can find the waterfalls of Iguazu on the border of Argentina and Brazil. They are the most extensive waterfall system in the world and one of the most stunning views you'll ever see. The only downside is that it's fairly popular with tourists. This means that it can get pretty crowded at times, and it might be a bit harder to get the perfect photo right away.

Salar de UyuniSalar de Uyuni is in the south of Bolivia. They are the largest salt flats in the world. In other words, it's a desert made of salt. People usually get to Salar de Uyuni by driving from a nearby city or town. If you're lucky enough, you arrive there after a rainy day. The rain turns the flat into a large mirror that reflects the sky.

5 The Andes
The Andes are a massive reason to vacation in South America. This mountain range spreads across the western side of the continent. It separates the coast from the mainland. If you love nature walks and hiking, you'll love the Andes. If you go on an organized hiking trip, you'll see some of the most amazing views you've ever seen while traversing the terrain under huge blue skies.

On the other hand, the Andes have a lot to offer to history buffs. They are the home of Machu Picchu. Exploring this historical place will offer you adventure and education. Machu Picchu is also a fantastic vacation destination for seniors.

6 You Can Enjoy the Fabulous Local Festivals
If you manage to time your trip correctly, you may be able to experience the biggest festival in the world – Carnaval. For most people, Carnaval is the biggest of the reasons to visit South America. Celebrations take place all over the continent in the spring.

You will be able to enjoy parades, dancing, parties, music, and great food. While the most prominent celebration takes place in Rio de Janeiro, it's also a fantastic experience to see local celebrations in smaller cities and towns.

To Wrap Up
​This is just the start of the journey of discovering the wonders of South America. It has so much more to offer. For example, another one of the reasons to visit South America is that it's amazing for traveling with kids. They'll have unique experiences that they'll remember for a lifetime. This gorgeous continent simply has to be experienced firsthand.
 
Author’s Bio:
Max Channing is a consultant and freelance writer for Manhattan Movers NYC. Besides his job, he also enjoys football, cooking, and spending time with his family.
 
Photo used: Unsplash
 

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