We're planning to go in the end of November and using a free ticket on American. We speak spanish, so language isn't a problem... and we prefer to see how the locals live.... and not go on a tour. We have 2 weeks and will be travelling from Seattle (so long flights). We're thinking of going to Peru or Chile or some combination... we're not tied to these countries though. Does anyone have any recommendations for that time of year and for a nice 2 week trip. Also what is the best way to get around (car, bus, etc.)?

Let me tell you where I've traveled in South and Central America, then I'll give you my recommendations.

Chile - Santiago and south to Torres del Paine National Park, also Vina del Mar and Lake District

Argentina - Buenos Aires only

Uruguay - Montevideo and beach area (blanking on proper name)

Brazil - Sao Paulo, Foz de Iguazu, and some parts of southern Brazil

Guatemala

Costa Rica

While I enjoyed all of those trips, I most enjoyed Costa Rica with Guatemala as a second. I enjoy seeing different cultures. Chile has little indigenous population; Santiago is much like any European or American city.

Guatemala has the most indigenous population, with the women and men in each village dressed with different colorful weavings. Further, there are magnificent Mayan ruins in Tikal and Copan, Honduras. We drove around southern Guatemala, but flew to Tikal because of the reports of bandits on the road.

We drove throughout Costa Rica, and had a marvelous time. The scenery is beautiful, and there are a lot of animals that can be seen in the wild. One word of warning: the roads in Costa Rica are the worst we have ever driven on - pot holes, pot holes, pot holes. Minimize the miles driven/day!

We spent a week in Guatemala and a week in Costa Rica. Belize and Panama are on my list for future visits, as are Peru and Bolivia.

Have a marvelous vacation.

Rent the movie Proof of Life before you decide. It was filmed in Ecuador. It reminded me what a spectularly beautiful country it is. You can also use Quito as a jumping off point for the Galapagos Islands and the jungle. Ecuador also has, like Peru, a large indigenous population. Machu Picchu, in Peru, has to be one of the most specatular sites on earth.

If you want more of the "European" type experience, go to Argentina, Uruguay and/or Chile. They are all great places to visit, it just depends on your interests.

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Jeff

The problem with renting Proof of Life to see Ecuador is that you have to actually watch Proof of Life. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

I agree with the recommendation of Peru. Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Macchu Picchu, Puno, etc....

DrTravels excellent info !

The Northeast of Brazil (Fortaleza, Maceio, Natal and Salvador) are definitely worth a visit.

Coming to South America and not taking two days to see the beautiful geography of Rio de Janeiro would be like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope...

If you speak spanish Brazilians who speak Portuguese as their native language will fully understand you... and when you go home you'll be speaking a little bit of Portuguese as well.

Info: Brazilians have no problems understanding Spanish, but Spanish-speakers may have problems understanding Portuguese. It's not because you're a foreigner as it does happen with Spaniards and Argentines, to name a few.

If I were a foreigner I'd learn Portuguese to understand and be understood in all Latin America... Just my opinion.

pb9997,

I'm trying to learn (heading back for Christmas this year) but it's not easy for my twisted English/French tongue. Luckily, the Brazilians are patient and good-natured and only laugh (with me??) when I butcher their beautiful way of speaking Portuguese.

Where did you end up going Sammy?

You can cover a lot in Peru. Macchu Picchu is the best. No tour is needed. You fly to Cusco and it is a neat place in itself. Then take the train to MP. Also, fly to Iquitos which is still in Peru, but on the Amazon river in the jungle.

Costa Rica is a wonderful trip too, but be very careful since crime is on the increase and is worse in certain areas. There are beaches, jungle lodges, turtle nesting lodges, volcano lodges, etc., to see in addition to San Jose for a day.

Argentina is worth a few days. BA is like Europe in some ways. You can fly LAPA (now ARG) for very cheap and United miles to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego for a few days for some neat scenery, hikes, and a boat ride through the Beagle channel (penguins). El Calafate near the Chilean border is an access point to the Chile glaciers if you want to do the glacier thing.

You can take the boat across the river from BA to Uruguay either to Colonia de Sacramento for a day or to Montevideo and on to Punta del Este beaches although those beaches are not up to USA or Asian standards.

The economies in some of these countries are falling apart, but our dollars are wanted by the locals. The banks and even ATMs are closed or blocked off with extra security. All kinds of local demonstrations occur, with problems every now and then. It doesn't stop me from going however.

Have fun.....