Bonnie's South America Travel Blog

The magical desert by Chile's San Pedro de Atacama (Lonely Planet): "I had broken my standard 9 a.m. wake-up call to get to the Tatio Geysers at first light, when they are said to be their most resplendent. This is the highest geyser field in the world, located just three dusty hours from the northern Chile oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, smack dab in the middle of the driest desert in the world, the Atacama."

The author describes the desert, the geysers at El Tatio, and the town of San Pedro de Atacama, with recommnedations for getting to and staying in nearby Calama. For some of the suggestions mentioned, see San Pedro de Atacama, Chile - Trek and Drive Tour.

World Traveler's Luxury Deals (Forbes): Adventures with a mind toward luxury "might want to head on a 21-day cruise to Antarctica, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands and the South Atlantic. Here, penguins, birds of flight and marine mammals are just a few of the animals awaiting those aboard Abercrombie and Kent's Minerva MV.

South America is quickly becoming a popular destination for international travelers. Buenos Aires' reputation as the "Paris of South America" attracts travelers who have, in past years, been interested in a European experience, says Diane McDavitt, president and founder of LuxuryLink.com, an online marketplace for travel bookings. "

Peru Is Ready for You: Take Advantage of Significant Savings on LANVACATIONS Packages to Peru (PRNewswire): "Travel to Peru is more affordable than ever before. With the latest offer from LANVACATIONS, the vacation division of LAN Airlines, budget conscious travelers can indulge in an air-inclusive escape to Peru without breaking the bank. The Lima Supersaver is priced from $499 and the Lima and Cusco Supersaver is priced from $899."

Both specials include roundtrip airfare on LAN Airlines, roundtrip airport to hotel transfers, hotel accommodations, daily breakfast, and some fees. For more information about these packages and to make a reservation, please visit http://www.lanvacations.com or call a reservations specialist at 1-800-435-3593 (6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. PT Monday - Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Saturday and Sunday).

Sacks of coffee beans are stacked so high in Pasto, Colombia that workers climb them as through scaling a wall.

Click on the link or the photo for more information about Colombian coffee.

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Photo displayed with the kind permission of Livia Corona / Getty Images.

Full evacuation ordered around Chile volcano (Msnbc.news): "The Chaiten volcano spewed lava and blasted ash more than 12 miles into the sky on Tuesday, prompting a total evacuation of the provincial capital and other settlements." Read the artticle for more details and a slide show.

Further activity is expected from the volcano. "Rains following the eruption have carpeted surrounding areas in ash and mud. Hard hit is Chaiten, a small provincial capital of wooden houses and cobblestone streets just 6 miles from the volcano in southern Chile. Authorities were also evacuating the ash-coated town of Futaleufu, about 75 miles east of Chaiten near the Argentine border."

Read more about the Volcanos of Chile.

Puerto Montt is the capital of Chile's Region XX, Los Lagos, and the gateway to travel through the fjords, the Lake Crossing into Argentina, the mystical island of Chiloé and the center of commerce for the region.

Click on the link or the photo for more information about this scenic locale.

Do you have a photo that you'd like to see featured as our photo of the week? Or as part of our photo galleries?

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Photo of Puerto Montt is displayed with the kind permission of Bill Glover.

"The 3,550-foot Chaiten volcano belched fire and ash Thursday night, causing more than 60 small tremors in the Los Lagos region, 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) south of the capital, Santiago." Details in: Chile volcano erupts, villages evacuated (AP)

The volcano is in the Lake District, a popular all-season sporting and vacation destination. Ash from the volcano disrupted highway travel, water supplies, and crossed the Andes into Argentina.

In additional volcanic activity in southern Peru, 'the Ubinas volcano shot out gases and ash twice on Friday, covering local homes and crops. There were no immediate reports of injuries. The eruptions shot ash up to 1,600 feet (500 meters) into the air', said Santos Alvarez, an official from the town of Ubinas."

If you are traveling in Latin America on the first day of May, you can expect to find banks, government offices, stores, post offices and businesses closed for the day as people celebrate the International Worker's Day.

The dirt road invites you into a scenic Valle de Capão within the Chapada Diamantina National Park in Bahia state of where forests, rivers and hidden treasures await.

Click on the link or the photo for more information about this scenic locale.

Do you have a photo that you'd like to see featured as our photo of the week? Or as part of our photo galleries?

If you do, send it to me via the Submit a Photo Form.

Photo of the Valle de Capão is displayed with the kind permission of Peter and Jackie Main.

Fodor's: This Week has this to say about Quito's Hotel Plaza Grande (scroll down): "Arguably Ecuador's most fabulous hotel (with prices to match) puts you right on the prime real estate of its namesake plaza in the heart of Quito's Old City. The property opened in 2007, but the structure was once the mansion of early 16th-century nobleman Juan Díaz de Hidalgo."

Explore Quito.