top travel destinations

You set your mind and you're ready to travel to South America
a magical place of immense beauty where myth and legend continue to walk hand in hand. I've traveled 18 months in South America and can give you some tips on how to prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure.

Common Sense

We all hear the unpleasant stories and South America has a fame of being dangerous. I traveled thousands of miles traversing cities
jungles
islands and mountains. I survived 6 weeks in a street child care center in the favelas of Salvador da Bahํa (Brazil) and had the party of a lifetime during carnival. Nothing
I repeat
nothing happened. Use your common sense. Avoid badly lit streets at night and if your sixth sense is giving you the "something is wrong" sign then take a taxi to your destination.

Travel Guide Book

The first thing that you will need is a travel guide book. It will be your best companion in your search for adventure. I can highly recommend Lonely Planetดs South America on a Shoestring
to get you started. The book covers all you need to know to get the most out of your trip and is ideal to plan your journey ahead. I've used the guide extensively during my 18 month adventure. They offer excellent separate travel guides of all the countries (besides using the Lonely Planet Shoestring I've used their separate travel guides of Peru and Brazil). Their guides are the most popular among backpackers.

Other popular guides are The Rough Guide to South America and the South American Handbook. Ideal
but not practical because you want to travel light
would be to enjoy the adventure with a Lonely Planet and either the Rough Guide or the Handbook.

Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese

The most rewarding thing for me was the fact that you can travel in a huge continent like South America with only 2 languages. Spanish and Portuguese. If you plan to travel just for a few weeks you can invest in a Spanish and/or Brazilian Portuguese Phrase Book. English is not widely spoken and even a basic knowledge of Spanish and/or Portuguese makes the trip so much more rewarding (they're extremely willing to help you
so don't worry
be happy).

If on the other hand you're planning to travel for a few months I can highly recommend taking a language course. Ideal would be in a school in South America (I took lessons in Quito
Ecuador
and had a private teacher for $2.50/h).

Walking Shoes

South America's nature is overwhelming. You'll walk for many hours day after day. It would be a shame to walk in the footsteps of the Incas with blisters on your feet. My biggest recommendation is to invest in high quality walking shoes with Gore-Tex.

Health Vaccinations

Yellow Fever (if you plan to go to the Amazon Basin)
Typhoid (consists of two injections taken 4 weeks apart)
Diphtheria-Tetanus
Polio
Cholera (only when necessary)
Smallpox

Medical Kit:

Depending on what you plan to do you can include the following:
Antiseptic cream
aspirin
lomotil for diarrhea
antibiotics
throat lozenges
ear and eye drops
antacid tablets
motion sickness medication
alcohol swabs
water purifier
lip salve
foot and groin powder
thermometer (in a case)
surgical tape
assorted sticky plasters
gauze
bandages
butterfly closures
scissors and last but not least
first-aid booklet

Note: malaria pills are required in the amazon basin
please be aware that those pills are very b and you should check with your doctor before departure

Traveling Gear

Backpack:

Obviously a high quality backpack is a must. Choose the type that has different compartments that can be opened separately. Very handy if you need something quickly. Travel as light as possible. A heavy backpack is destined to undermine your traveling pleasure.

Clothing:

Depends on where you go. If it's the mountains and the jungle
get some quality clothing from home. If it's the beach
buy your t-shirts there (cheap).

Camping and Climbing Gear:

You can rent camping and climbing material in South America but the quality may be questionable. Always check the material. Bring your own gear if possible. I traveled 18 months with my own tent and various camping utensils.

Photography

Pictures are something personal. Some people just want some snap shots
others want to publish in the National Geographic. All my pictures were taken with a cheap Nikon F50 camera. Have a look at some amazing photographs at www.travel-amazing-southamerica.com.

I had two zoom lenses
a 35-80 mm. and a 70-210mm. I also dragged a tripod and an excellent flash with me. I used FUJI slides (100 ASA) but you definitely need 200 to 400 ASA if you plan to go to the jungle. A polarize filter enhances the colours tremendously on sunny days.

Conclusion

South America will embrace you with open arms. It's nature
people and history are overwhelming. With the right preparation and set of mind you're ready for an unforgettable adventure.

South America is a continent of extremes
and there is not just one
but thousands of reasons to explore the human and natural wonders of this remarkable landmass. South America's expansive human history is visible through some of the best preserved ruins in the world. The fusion of Spanish
Portuguese and native cultures is evident in the distinctive art
food and music of the 12 independent countries.

Though it was the last continent to be inhabited
South America has a long and delicate history of flourishing indigenous cultures before European arrival in the 16th century. Archeological sites in Peru reveal the practice of human sacrifice and other perplexing traditions by the Moche people who lived there 2000 years ago. South America's most illustrious ancient people
the Inca
held their capital in modern day Cusco and sprinkled the Andes with remnants of their terraced farming and architecture. Machu Picchu
at 7
710
feet
is the best preserved and most breathtaking Inca town
well worth the 4 day hike along the Inca Trail (the less eager can opt for the train ride).

The Sky is the Limit
When it comes to breaking records
South America is the place to see. The massive north-south continent is spread through nearly every climate zone imaginable
which makes for very dynamic travel. The world's highest water fall
Angels Falls
cascades over 3
200
feet in Venezuela's Canaima National Park. The Amazon River
which winds across the north through Brazil
is the largest river in the world by volume while the Amazon Rainforest is the largest existing rainforest. Travel along the Andes
the world's longest mountain range but make sure not to lose your way in Chile or you might end up in the driest place on earth
the Atacama Desert. Catch your breath at 3
600
meters while visiting the highest capital city of La Paz
Bolivia. Then
gather your arctic gear and head south to Ushuaia in Argentina
which is – you guessed it – the world's southernmost city! Along the way
stop by the steppes of Patagonia
which happens to be the cleanest place on earth aside from Antarctica. South America is also home to the stunning diversity of Darwin's Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) and the most remote island on earth
Easter Island (Chile) with its mysterious stone head sculptures and an inexplicably large population of Pacific Islanders.

South America also offers the comforts and luxuries of modern metropolitan life in any of the countries you choose to explore. Pick up the pace in Brazil's bustling Rio de Janeiro or immerse yourself in the cosmopolitan chic of Buenos Aires
Argentina
while still gaining an appreciation for the past in these remarkable historic cities. From big city life and resort towns to tropical rainforests and mountain peaks
there is no better place to embark on your world travels than South America
a true melting pot of culture
history and geographic phenomena. For more information
visit www.cfares.com
your source for cheap airfareon the web.