5 Remarkable Reasons Why You Should Visit South America
Tourism in South America has exploded over the past few decades as global visitors have discovered the remarkable scope of cultures, nature and history sewn into the fabric of these lands. If you’re searching for inspiration for your next adventure, then look no further; we’ve picked the five best reasons why you should explore South America.
1. Its plethora of historic monuments marking lost civilizations
From the Tehuelche people of Patagonia, to the Tiwanaku culture in Bolivia and the more recent Inca Empire that populated much of the Andean regions in the 15th and 16th centuries, myriad civilizations have left their footprints upon South America.
Trek the now iconic Inca trail to reach the landmark that has become synonymous with South America itself: Machu Picchu, an example of the enchanting Inca citadels that once dominated the mountains in this region. For the even more intrepid, The Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) is the archeological site of an ancient city in Colombia which is believed to be over 650 years older than Machu Picchu and requires a 28 mile (46 km) round trip through dense jungle to reach.
2. The enormous and completely awe-inspiring natural formations
Visitors to South America never fail to be spellbound by the superlative scale of its staggering geological and glacial formations. Perito Moreno, a 19 mile (30 km) long glacier in Argentina, is a colossal example. A reminder of the earth’s ice ages, visitors can appreciate its enormous scale by viewing it from a walkway at its foot or by ice trekking atop the glacier.
3. It includes a whopping five of the 17 most ecologically diverse countries in the world
Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil are amongst the most ecologically diverse countries in the world; a fact that comes as no surprise when you consider the sheer wealth of wildlife found in one of the planet’s most incredible and unique ecosystems, the Amazon Rainforest.
4. South America’s cities are vibrant hubs of culture and cuisine
A wealth of vibrant cities make South America an unmissable destination for culture and world-class dining. Rio de Janeiro is the home of the most famous carnival celebrations, where a two week period sees the city let loose through its peerless displays of Brazilian dancing, music and parades of spectacular outfits.
5. Travelers are never short of adventurous destinations
If adventure is what sets your heart ablaze, South America is your travel soul mate. Chile was recently crowned as South America’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination in the World Travel Awards 2016 thanks to the unbeatable hiking in Torres del Paine National Park and the extreme, world-class rapids in Futaleufú in Los Lagos Region.
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