South America

Lovers of beautiful nature will find what they are looking for in South America. However, those interested in culture can also indulge themselves on this large continent. The mighty Inca empire built many beautiful cities and temples, which are a “must-see” to visit. The big markets are a colourful spectacle because of the inhabitants’ clothes and the beautiful fabrics sold there. Because of Spanish rule, in many countries you will find beautiful colonial buildings to admire. The largest rainforest in the world is also found by the Amazon, spread over several countries.

If you would like to be active, you can go on beautiful trips through the Andes mountains, meandering through many countries. South America lends itself to a long journey, where you visit several countries but even if your time is limited, you can still have an unforgettable experience in one of the beautiful countries on this continent. The countries of South America are (in alphabetical order): Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Climate

There are three important factors that influence the climate in South America. The Andes Mountains is one of them. This mountain range, over 7,000 kilometres long, is a natural buffer against the influence of the Pacific Ocean. At high altitude in the Andes, the climate is cool and dry. The wave currents in the oceans are also important. The Humboldt current near Peru ensures that cool air enters South America. On the east side of the continent, the Brazilian current and South-Equatorial current create a warm and humid climate. Finally, the Amazon provides a tropical rainforest climate with high temperatures, high humidity and relatively high rainfall. The climatic conditions in each country can therefore vary greatly, even during the different seasons.

Travelling within the region

The plane is the most important means of transport to get around South America. The distance from the northernmost airport in Chile (Arica) to the Punta Arenas airport in Patagonia, is over 6 hours flying! Important hubs are Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza and Natal in Brazil, Bogotá in Colombia, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Quito in Ecuador, Lima in Peru. These are all destinations with a direct flight from the Netherlands. Local airlines, such as Latam, TAME, Avianca or Viva Air Colombia can transport you further. Due to the size of the region, there is a widespread network of domestic or continental flights possible, for relatively little money. There are also Air Passes possible, with which you can make a number of flights within one or more countries.

Transportation by bus is a cheap option. In general, buses run on time. But because of the sometimes-winding roads in the mountains and the quality of the road surface, the trips often take a long time. Bus quality varies greatly from one airline to another. Only book bus tickets with reputable carriers.

Healthcare

Vaccinations are required for the vast majority of destinations in South America, especially against yellow fever. Malaria also occurs in some areas and there is a chance that you will need to take medication or an emergency treatment set of medications in case you get malaria. In the detailed descriptions of the countries in South America, you will find all the necessary information about the health risks for each country.

Personal travel advice

South America is ideal for a longer trip. There is so much beauty to see and things to do that a trip of three weeks is actually (much) too short. Depending on your interests, available time and period of the year, you can go on a fantastic round trip through one or more countries in South America. The daily expenses, especially in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, are very low, so don’t let them stop you. We are happy to give personal travel advice, considering your own wishes.