If you would like to visit a new destination for your next holiday, we recommend traveling to South America. With unforgettable landscapes and unique cultures, South America is a true gem! If exploration or adventure is your thing, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Plus, traveling in South America is often budget-friendly—hello cheap food and drinks! However, there are so many countries in South America, so making a decision may be tricky.
DT’s Top Pick Destinations for Traveling to South America
Brazil
This should be your first choice for South America. You can spend weeks touring Brazil, and it will feel as if you only covered twenty percent of the country. The official language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese. If you want to explore and interact with the locals, it’s a good idea to learn some basic phrases to make communication easier.
Here are some common phrases:
- Olá — Hello
- Adeus — Goodbye
- Até logo! — See you later
While on your trip to Brazil, you should visit the Christ the Redeemer statue. It’s the iconic statue seen in many movies and documentaries. However, those images do not tell the complete story. A physical visit to this fantastic tourist attraction in Rio De Janeiro will leave you in awe.
We recommend you plan a trip during the annual Brazil Carnival. It’s usually scheduled to happen in February or earlier in the year. The carnival attracts tourists from all over the world thanks to its unique party vibes.
Aside from that, Brazil boasts many luxurious hotels, which are actually affordable. You will also enjoy dining in restaurants and shopping in the local markets. And should you be in the mood for some adventure, take a trip to the incredible Amazon Rainforest. That’s a trip best experienced, not described.
Peru
Next on our list of top attractions in South America is Peru. This small country in South America offers a good number of adventures and life experiences and the visa process is relatively simple as well.
The official language in Peru is Spanish and the English-speaking population is relatively small. So if you can’t already speak Spanish, now’s the time to brush up on a few common phrases like:
- Cómo estás? – How are you?
- Gracias. – Thank you.
- Por favor! – Please
The people in Peru are known to be friendly and hospitable towards tourists. So don’t be surprised if someone wants to have a chat or take a photo with you.
In the country, you should visit their top cities, including Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, and Iquitos, to mention a few.
One of the most popular attractions in Peru includes the Colca Canyon, where you can spend a whole day exploring and taking amazing pictures. Make sure to organize a local guide so that they can take you to the best sections. You never know, you may even discover a secret spot only known to locals.
Another trip you should schedule is to Machu Picchu in southern Peru. This unique landmark is nestled between mountain peaks and transports you back to the time of the Incas. Make sure you schedule enough time to explore the ruins as you never know what you may stumble across.
The volcanic sites in Arequipa are another fantastic place to visit. Here, you’ll have access to four different volcanic landscapes plus a city with unique architecture. This makes Arequipa a must-travel destination for all of you Instagram fans.
Colombia
Colombia remains one of the most mysterious countries in South America. The abundance of tales about its cities and rich history never cease to fascinate travelers. If you’re planning a trip to Colombia, make sure to spend a few weeks enjoying a new experience as there’s so much to see.
The country has retained tons of its historic architecture, with Cartagena being the main attraction for this reason.
Here, you can listen to traditional Colombian music such as merengue, fandango, chandé, and walk through the streets to admire the amazing ancient architecture.
The official language in Colombia is Spanish. However, you can find a few English speakers, especially in the hotels. But, since English speakers are few and far between, it’s a good idea to learn a few phrases such as:
- Chimba – An expression of excitement
- Sí – Yes
- Hacéme un catorce, por favor – Please can you do me a favor
- Eso suena genial – That sounds great
- Qué nota – How amazing
The beautiful beaches of Colombia are also another reason that tourists flock to the country. Some of the most popular beaches in the country are: La Boquilla Beach, Playa Blanca, Playa Blanca, and Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona.
Shopping and Dining Galore
Aside from beaches, you can enjoy the many shopping and dining options that Colombia has to offer. You may even walk past a band of old men who spontaneously burst out in song. Don’t fret, though. It is a beautiful gesture to make you feel welcome there.
Colombia also has some amazing parks. At the top of the list is the Tayrona National park, known for its beautiful landscapes. The park provides unique views where you can watch the land and sea interact without any human interruptions. The park is also a protected zone so make sure to abide by any rules that the government has in place.
Use Day Translations as Your Translation Back-up Plan
Traveling to South America can see you stumbling into language barriers. If for some reason you run into a situation where you need to communicate with a local urgently, get in contact with us at Day Translations. We’ve got interpreters and translators ready to assist with:
- Translating documents
- Communicating with authorities
- Assistance with booking tours and hotels
We have designed our translation services to be user-friendly so you don’t have to have any expert knowledge. Allow us to handle everything about translation or interpretation to ensure you enjoy the best that any of these South America countries have to offer you.