South America is a continent of superlatives: the highest lake, the driest desert, the largest waterfall… Well, you get the picture. Environmentalists will enjoy the amazing fauna in the Amazon, while shoppers can choose between upscale boutiques in big cities like Rio de Janeiro or the colorful markets of Andean villages. You can explore lost cities of ancient civilizations, feast your eyes on stunning scenery almost everywhere you go or you can try out the local cuisine. It’s your choice, and South America gives you lots of them. Here’s a look at the best places to visit in South America: Cartagena. Cartagena is a major city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. It was founded by the Spanish in 1533, who named it after Cartagena, Spain. During Spain’s domination in South America, the city was the center of politics and the economy. It is a quite modern city today, but you’ll find walled historic center and the fortress, deemed the largest for tifications in South America, that defended it. Cartagena has a rich cultural scene, with festivalsthroughout the year; museums and art galleries. Salvador. With its beautiful Old Town that showcases such a delightful array of 17th and 18th-Centurycolonial architecture, Salvador is certainly a charming city to behold. Its rich, Afro-Brazilianculture and vibrant arts scene shine through, and it´s an intoxicating and lively place to be, particularly during carnival. Located on the huge All Saints Bay, the city´s setting only adds to its attractiveness. While the Old Town with its cobbled streets, historicsites and interesting museums, is the highlight of Salvador, the feel about the place is infectious. Los Glaciares National Park. They don’t do things in a small way in Los Glaciares National Park. Not only is the park the largest national park in Argentina, it is home to the largest ice cap outside ofGreenl and and Antarctica – an ice cap that feeds 47 large glaciers. The most famous of these is the Peri to Moreno glacier. The park also is home to Lake Argentino, the largestin the country. While the glaciers are located in the southern section of the park, the northernsection features majestic mountains such as Mount Fitz Roy, offering hiking and mountainclimbing. Pantanal. The Pantanal is the world’s largest wetland, lying mostly in Western Brazil but extending into Bolivia and Paraguay as well. Famous for its wildlife, it is one of Brazil’s major tourist attractions. Unlike the Amazonrainforest, in the Pantanal you are virtually guaranteed to actually see the wildlife. Capybara and Caiman are present in the millions. The Pantanal is also home to one of the largest Jaguar populations in the Americas. Ushuaia. If you like to visit remote places, then put Ushuaia on your bucket list. The capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia is considered the southernmost city in the world. Indeed, the train to the End of the World ends here. Nestled among the mountains alonga bay, Ushuaia is very picturesque when it’s not cloudy or windy, which is much of the time. The former penal colony has a prison museum and it’s a good place to see penguins, orca whales and seals. Tayrona National Park. In the northernmost part of Colombia is the Tayrona National Park, which borders the Caribbean Sea and offers remarkable beaches and scenery for visitors. One of the top spots in the park is the lagoon called La Piscina, where a natural reef turns the lagoon into a protectedswimming area. There are also plenty of sandy hiking trails leading to and from the coast, many of which provide spectacular views over the Caribbean. Quito. Ecuador’s capital, Quito, is unique among world capitals. It is the highest capital in the world and also closest to the equator. Founded by the Spanish in 1534, Quito ’scolorful old town is one of the best-preserved, least changed and largest in all the Americas. Located in Ecuador’s northern highlands, the city is surrounded by volcanoes that can be seen on a clear day. Quito is the only world capital that is threatened by activevolcanoes. Colca Canyon. There’s a reason Colca Canyon is the third most visited tourist destination in Peru: stunning views. The canyon is one of the deepest in the world and more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. If you get tired of scenic views, you can feast your eyes on the sky where you may see Andean condors and the biggest hummingbirds you’ve ever seen. Villages are a good place to buy local handcrafts.
