SOUTH AMERICA
A Few Possibilities
Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Cartagena, Lima, Rio de Janeiro, Bogota, Medellin, Quito, Santiago, Caracas, Cusco, Guayaquil, Cordoba, Manaus, Fortaleza, Cochabamba, Curitiba, Rosario, Barranquilla, Valpariso, Belem, La Paz, Antigua, Recife
Sites Worth Seeing
South America has so much to see and do. With a wealth of history and culture, you will have your pick of where to visit and what to do. Some recommended places to visit are Angel Falls, Mount Roraima and the beautiful beach of Cayo Sombrero in Venezuela; the mysterious ruins of Machu Picchu and to Iquitos to explore the Amazon jungles in Peru. When people think of South America, usually Brazil pops in mind first.
The city of Rio de Janeiro offers breathtaking views from the mountain tops above along with a vibrant culture. There are numerous beaches along the coast of Brazil, but you may also want to see Iguazu Falls, Chapa Diamantina park and the historic town of Salvador de Bahia. You must visit the city of Buenos Aires where many activities await you. And while in Argentina, visits to Perito Mereno, El Chalten and Iguazu Falls (yes, you can see them from Argentina as well) are also great places to visit.
The glaciers and dramatic peaks of Torres del Paine national park and Atacama Desert in Chile are natural wonders. Coffee lovers rejoice when visiting Eje Cafetero to tour some of the coffee plantations in Colombia. A visit to the vibrant city of Cartegena de Indias and witness the beautiful colonial architecture is a must. And you will love the beaches and lush greenery of Tayrona Park in Colombia. Also, the world’s largest salt flat (where you can see llamas and flamingos enjoying the habitat), Salar de Uyuni, and Isla del Sol in Bolivia and Cotopaxi National Park for extreme hiking icy temps in Equador.
Shopaholics
In Quito, Ecuador, there are several artisan markets where you can find great souvenirs by the locals such as woven sweaters and scarves. Also, you can find unique high quality items such as candles, leather products and guitars in markets like Otavalo.
In Sao Paolo, popular shopping malls include the Cidade Jardim and Iguatemi malls.
Chile's Iquique port has a duty-free zone allowing for competitive prices on electronics, perfumes and other goods. Along with great shopping and a huge variety of stores, you can find several events and entertaining performances.
Buenos Aires is a great city for those looking for excellent shopping. There are several malls, smaller independent stores and boutiques. Enjoy Lavalle Street and Florida streets for a pedestrianized shopping experience, with national stores and independent retailers, while there are also plenty of street vendors. Plaza Serrano in the Palermo district is another popular shopping destination with a trendy atmosphere. Bold designers offer unique clothes and artists sell their wares.
In Santa Cruz, Bolivia, one of the best places to shop for souvenirs is the Avenue Rene Moreno, where a variety of retailers have numerous items on sale. There are also several jewelry and art cooperatives with stores that benefit the country's talented artists.
Nightlife
Medellin, Colombia attracts hordes of young singles and is the rising scene for the young and hip. For salsa and more, venture to Calle 33. A few areas to venture: Parque Lleras, Las Palmas and La Strada (where the beautiful people hang). Try Gusto in Parque Lleras. In Peru, Lima and Mancora offer plenty of nightlife. Mancora is a year round beach community with great seafood, surf and sun. Many of the parties stay near the hotels-but get quite crowded. Go to Loki Mancora. In Lima, a nightclub might mean a little more than a nightclub. Be weary of spots with signs that read "Nightclub" as these may be of more an adult play variety. However, there are still many bars and actual nightclubs to experience like Nebula and be sure to explore the Miraflores district.
Jose Ignacio in Uruguay another town that won't disappoint and has quickly become an it town for the rich. Visit Cana Grill in Montanita, Ecuador and Native. In Rio, you can hangout in the touristy South Zone area (check out Fosfobox near Copacabana Beach) or go to Lapa for a more local experience where there are plenty of discos, lounges and bars. Also, you may want to try Baronetti, Nuth and Zax. In Sao Paolo, check out Bar Secreto, Clash Club, Casa 92, Funhouse, Astronette, D. Edge and Hot Hot, Lions, Mokai and Lab Club. Some recommended spots in La Paz, Bolivia include Loki Bar, Diesel Nacional and Forum. Also, check out the Sopacachi area and 4-corners in the Murillo district.
And you thought NYC was the city that never sleeps. Think again! Buenos Aires can party 24/7. Plan on starting your party after 1am when the crowds really kick it up at the clubs and can go all night until after the sun comes up. Pacha, Club Shampoo, Hyde, Rosebar, Palacio Alsina and Jet Lounge are all popular spots. Quite the opposite of the all night party is found in Antigua, where bars close around 1am. But you can still get your groove on. Try Lava Bar and Cafe No Se for some good times!
NOTE: This listing of nightclubs and lounges was created pre-pandemic and will be updated soon.