About South America
Articles Index
Mérida, Venezuela
Squeezed between two mountain ranges and two rivers, Merida, Venezuela is a charming university town, with attractions and activities of both a cultural and scenic nature to tempt students and visitors alike. The cable car to the top of Pico Espejo is not to be missed; neither are tours onto the neighboring paramos, or rugged moors.
Simón Bolívar, El Libertador
This hero of the Latin American wars of independence died discouraged that his efforts were in vain. Revered today as South America's great liberator, his political principles are the basis for the Bolivarian Movement and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Angel Falls and Canaima National Park
Sprawling Parque Nacional Canaima, Venezuela's second largest national park includes rolling savannas, forests, dense river woodlands, sheer cliffs, and steep flat-topped table mountains called tepuis, from which fall spectacular cascades of water. Angel Falls the highest uninterrupted waterfall in the world, and Roraima, the highest tepui in the Guiana Highlands, are top destinations within the park.
Suriname for Visitors
Tropical rainforests and a trek to Mount Kasikasima are only two of the country's attractions. Wildlife, river cruises and the city of Paramaribo offer sightseeing opportunities.
Spas and Hot Springs of South America
Think of a spa vacation, either on its own or as part of your next trip to South America. Relax with a full service spa resort, or dip into a mountain hot springs after a day of trekking, hiking, climbing or biking. Aah...
Guyana for Visitors
Lush Guyana is an adventure waiting to be explored. Enjoy the Dutch and English colonial feel to Georgetown, the tropical rain forest, dense river systems and exotic wildlife in the only English speaking country in South America.
Petroglyphs and Rock Art of South America
Call them pictographs or rupestrian art, petroglyphs give us a look at the past, and the numerous South American sites provide information about ancient peoples and cultures.
Argentina's National Parks
From the magnificent Iguazu Falls to the tip of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina maintains a wide variety of national and provincial parks, natural reserves, and natural monuments. Forest, glacier, lake or wildlife preserve, you're sure to need your camera and lots of film!
Uruguay for Visitors
From Montevideo and the famed resorts along the Gold Coast to gauchos Uruguay has a lot to offer the visitor.
Nude Beaches in South America
The legal beaches and naturist resorts or clubs are in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and surprisingly few of them in Brazil given the almost nude state of many beach goers on Rio's famed beaches.
Ecuador's El Oriente
Ecuador's eastern region offers rainforests, many rivers, birding, adventure and ecological research.
Dia del Trabajador
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 Volcanos of Chile
Chile has hundreds of volcanos, active and dormant, along the Bolivian and Argentine borders. Some are favored climbs, others are scenic gems. Ready to climb one?
Chile's Lake District
Chile's Lake District has been likened to Switzerland, but the spectacular arrangement of lakes, volcanos, rivers and waterfalls stand completely on its own as a major South American travel destination.
Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria
Celebrate the Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria on February 2 in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay and Venezuela
Highlights of Southern Brazil
The states of Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná
reflect much of their European heritage, including language and Octoberfests, and offer the traveler great vistas, splendid beaches and Iguazu Falls.
Samba!
Sensuous or sizzling, there's something about a samba that digs in and won't let go. Your toes twitch, your shoulders sway, and in a flash you're on your feet and dancing!
Matto Grosso
Brazil's Matto Grosso, the land of Big Wood, offers wildlife, history, mystery and great ecotouring in the Pantanal, the cerrado and the Amazon rainforest.
Brasilia, Capital of Brazil
Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, is a monument to what Brazilians can do and have done. It's a city pointing like an arrow into the future. It's built on a massive scale, with large, innovative buildings, a freedom of spirit and imagination.
La Paz, Bolivia
La Paz, one of the two capitals of Bolivia, nicknamed the city that touches the clouds, is one of the highest cities on earth and the center of Bolivian legislative government, culture and tourism.
Talking South American
Every country and culture has its own conversational likes and dislikes. When you meet a South American for the first time, what do you talk about? Talkig South American has its own dos and don'ts.
Tango!
This sensual, emotional dance began in the poorer areas of Buenos Aires and rose to international fame before the rock 'n' roll era. Now it's back, more popular than ever. Do you tango?
Bolivia's National Parks
Bolivia, South America's highest landlocked country, has some of the most pristine, wild and rugged national parks, with a tremendous variety of wildlife species in their natural environments, on the continent
In Search of the Perfect Empanada
These Latin American pastries, filled with seafood, meat, cheese, vegetables or fruit are wildly popular. Check out these recipes, or send in your choice for the perfect empanada.
South American Trivia
The countries of South America hold an astonishing number of world records for biggest, longest and highest. Keep these facts and figures handy and amaze your friends with your knowledge of South America