South American tourist destinations are growing in popularity and offer some unique ecological and cultural attractions for travel. We chose Latin America because we love the food and culture of Latin America.
We started traveling to Mexico in the early 1970s when we were kids, long before the million dollar condo projects … or highways for that matter. As adults, we continued to vacation in Mexico and often traveled with our children. It really was a natural extension for us to go further south and include Central and South America in our travel plans.
There are many great travel sites in South America, we just include a few here that our family looks forward to visiting. All of these can be easily visited by organizing the trip yourself or the tour companies will have them available in their South America travel packages.
Amazon
Visiting the Amazon is on the list of everyone who travels to South America. Starting in Peru, the Amazon leaves the Andes through many countries in South America and northern Brazil before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Amazon is one of the most exotic places on earth and is home to a diverse ecosystem that is home to many plants and animals found only there. This is a travel destination not to be missed.
Galapagos Islands
Located nearly 600 miles off the Pacific coast of Ecuador is the Galapagos Archipelago, a chain of some 22 islands that is home to many unique plants and animals found only on these islands.
Giant tortoises, the unique marine iguana, blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, and the Galapagos penguin are just a few of the unique creatures you will find on the islands and in the seas around the islands.
Access to the islands is controlled by the Ecuadorian government, and the most popular way to visit is through an approved tour operator. They offer many different tours and will have something to suit your interests, time, and budget considerations.
Macchu Picchu
For anyone heading to Peru, Machu Picchu is sure to be on their itinerary as it is the most visited tourist destination in Peru. These Inca ruins are located at about 8,000 feet, on top of a steep mountain overlooking the Urubamba River.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, Machu Picchu is believed to have been built around 1460 and was an important city in the Inca civilization. The remarkable beauty and spirituality of the site attract visitors from all over the world.
Titicaca lake
Another popular attraction in Peru is Lake Titicaca, the largest in South America and is believed to have been the origin of the Inca Empire. The lake is 12,500 feet above sea level, 122 miles long, and 35 miles wide.
According to Inca mythology, Manco Capac and Mama 0cllo emerged from the depths of the lake at the door of the sacred rock on the Island of the Sun to found the Inca Empire. The best known islands in the lake are the floating reed islands that are maintained by adding fresh reeds to the surface even as the bottom ones decompose.
Iguazu Falls
Everyone I have spoken to who has visited these falls tells me that they are a must see. On the border between Argentina and Brazil, the Iguazu Falls are more than twice as wide as the Niagra Falls and also taller.
The falls are protected by Argentine and Brazilian national parks on both sides of the falls, and the falls themselves are part of the virgin forest ecosystem.
2/3 of the falls are on the Argentine side, and where you can also find tours of the national park and jungle walks.
Whatever your interests, there is a travel destination in South America to suit your interests. The next time you’re planning a family vacation or extended trip, consider the options that South America has to offer.
