Many people come to South America in search for the ancient Inca empire of Machu Picchu but there are many great ruins in South America. In fact, there were other civilizations in South America that helped shape the land as we know it today.

While the Inca are prominently featured in many travel brochures, tribes existed before the Inca and much of their cities remain today.  Some were more peaceful than others but all of them have fascinating stories about how they lived and failed to survive.

Check out our top 5 non-Inca ruins in South America.

Not surprisingly there is no shortage of meat when visiting South America, while countries may cook things differently meat figures prominently into many traditional meals.

This can be a bit intimidating for vegetarians who want to visit the subcontinent but fear it is difficult to find meatless meals to eat while traveling. It is true that some smaller areas may not completely understand what being a vegetarian is and kindly offer chicken or fish as an alternative; however, most of the larger cities have a vegetarian population.

For this reason there are often a number of great vegetarian restaurants and meatless options on regular menus. This is not only attractive for vegetarians but regular travelers who grow tired of eating so much meat. Broccoli really begins to start looking attractive.

But if you are especially hesitant to come out check out our picks for the most vegetarian friendly cities in South America.

Unbelievably I spent 12 months planning my long-term travel in South America. During the day I was researching specifics such as vaccinations and safety tips but at night I was reading novels set in South America and that was the real inspiration to travel.

These books were what kept me motivated to build my savings account, learn Spanish and focus on a trip South. Stories of how Ernesto "Che" Guevara shaped the countries and the people after him painted a picture of the culture and an introduction into the politics.

If you're interested in reading about this subcontinent check out out top 7 books set in South America. While not all of the books are 100% factual, the blend of history and fiction give you a taste of the South American culture. Some stories are inspiring, others funny and some are full of sorrow.

If you have any other suggestions please comment below and let us know your favorites.

(c)Tim Robberts/Lifesize

The Catholic Church has a very strong influence in the history of Ecuador up to present day. It shaped the beliefs of the population, the holidays and even the creation of the city. With the first monastery being established just weeks after the founding of the city, today anyone giving directions often refers to a church of monastery as a marker.

You don't need to be a devout Catholic to appreciate the many monasteries of the city. The architecture and stories behind the history of these structures are fascinating and well worth visiting. If you are creating a to-do list for your visit to Quito don't miss out on our must-see list of Monasteries of Quito.

(c)John Coletti/The Image Bank