South America is an extremely diverse and astonishing travel destination. It hosts 13 different countries with unique landscapes, natural parks, jungles, beaches, and historical sites. Whether you are interested in architecture, wildlife, or visiting big and small cities, South America is for you. Anyone can find something to their taste there. And, luckily for students, a lot of destinations can be explored budget-friendly. All it takes is time and planning.
This article lists unusual and amazing places in South America that every student should see. Of course, planning a trip on a budget might take some time, but it will be worth it. Understandable, time is what many students lack.
But there is a solution to that problem – professional help from a credible academic platform. When you need a little bit of extra time, you can pay for paper on WritePaper and get great results with no effort on your side. College curriculums are often overloaded with written assignments, lectures, and individual projects. And many students have to navigate a part-time job or side hustles.
So it is hard sometimes to find time to plan a trip when you are busy with endless essays and research papers. It is an affordable and sure way to get assignments done while also enjoying some rest. And while professional writers do everything for you, you can plan your future trip to South America. Here are some places to consider visiting.
Iguaçu Falls
If you want to be breath-taken by stunning waterfalls, this one is the best option. Iguaçu Falls lies on the border of Brazil and Argentina. They can be accessed from one of these two countries because there are 275 waterfalls to see.
The most popular way to access them is from Argentina because it has some major attractions like Devil’s Throat, but Brazil will be cheaper. It is something to keep in mind if budget is a deciding factor. You can also see Devil’s Throat from the Brazilian side – visit National Iguaçu Park, walk for 2-4 hours from the entrance and ride the elevator to the top of the falls.
Around the waterfalls, there are rainforests with diverse wildlife to explore. One can also swim under the falls or get a boat ride.
This is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, so it is a must-see place.
Salar de Uyuni
Looking for a surrealistic view? Search no further than Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. It is the largest salt flat in the world that stretches more than 10,000 square kilometers. One of the best parts is that the landscape changes dramatically depending on the season. When it rains, the water turns into a giant mirror.
A good idea for students is to choose community tourism instead of hotels. It is possible to stay in the nearby cities with locals, which will be cheaper. And you can travel to the salt flat by public transport.
The scenery looks like another planet: it is astonishingly different from any other place. There are different tours available. One can explore lagoons; find flamingos or even volcanoes and geysers.
Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most impressive places to see in Chile. National Geographic even placed it 5th in the list of the most beautiful places in the world.
It is the landscape where subpolar forests meet the Patagonian Steppes. Those who enjoy hiking and nature sights will love giant glaciers, blue lakes, sparkling rivers, and all types of greenery around.
Of course, it is possible to get tour guides or try out ice-hiking, fly-fishing, or kayaking.
The Galapagos National Park
Although it is one of Ecuador’s most famous travel destinations, it doesn’t attract many tourists. Galapagos Islands attract about 150,000 tourists each year, which is relatively small compared to other places in South America.
These isolated and beautiful islands with great biodiversity are home to a huge part of marine wildlife. It is a perfect place for diving and snorkeling: the water is a stunning bright turquoise color. One can also enjoy fascinating beaches or see giant tortoises, land turtles, or sea lions.
Marble Caves
If you are traveling to Chilean Patagonia, do not miss Marble Caves located on a General Carrera Lake. One can take a boat tour kayak to get to this natural masterpiece. In any case, the caves are a stunning picture with all shades from pearl white to electric blue. But the waters here are usually quite cold.
Lake Titicaca
It is the largest lake in Peru and the whole of South America. It is a perfect place to dive into the local culture and explore Isla Taquile, a famous island known for textile art. One can travel sustainably by supporting indigenous communities. And alongside Lake Titicaca, one can find another wonder – Puno.
Puno
Puno is a relatively small town (about 150,000 citizens) located in the northwestern part of Lake Titicaca. It has rich traditions when it comes to dances and folklore music. A lot of activities here and around are outdoors. One can see floating islands and beautiful coastlines. Keep in mind that it is located pretty high above sea level, and one might need some time to adjust to the altitude.
Tikal
Tikal is one of the largest sites of the Maya civilizations. It is located in Guatemala and is protected by UNESCO World Heritage. This remote city is concealed deep in the heart of the jungle. Also, it is one of the best-understood cities of Maya because of the continued work of archeologists and historians.
Here one can visit temples, palaces, tombs, monuments, pyramids, and other ancient structures. And the astonishing Plaza of Seven Temples.
Angel Falls
Angel Falls is a stunning part of Canaima National Park in Venezuela. The falls stand at 979 meters, which is a truly spectacular view. It is one of a kind landscape to see. And the whole park is also protected by UNESCO as a beautiful and biodiverse sight to see.
Machu Picchu
Let’s be honest, Machu Picchu is a worldwide famous destination. After all, it is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. So the landscape around the city is a masterpiece on its own.
This ancient city was built in the 15th century by the Inca civilization. It’s still relatively intact and lies 2,430 meters high in the Andes Mountains. Visiting the location gives a perfect opportunity to learn more about the Incan civilization and the history of the place.
As it is settled pretty high above sea level, tourists need to adjust to the altitude. So it is better to come here for a couple of days to truly explore the place.
Honorable Mentions
Of course, these 10 places are not the only destinations one can be amazed at in South America. Here are some other to keep in mind:
- Patagonia (Argentina and Chile);
- Atacama Desert (Chile);
- Santuario de las Lajas (Colombia);
- Cartagena (Colombia);
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve (Costa Rica);
- Casapueblo (Uruguay);
- Ponta da Lagoinha (Brazil);
- Petrohué Waterfalls (Chile);
- Perito Moreno Glacier (Argentina);
- Baños (Ecuador);
- La Guajira (Colombia);
- The Choco Bioregion (Ecuador)
- La Macarena (Colombia).
In Summary
South America has so much to offer tourists: rich flora and fauna, astonishing nature, and fascinating cultures. Whether you want to visit the ancient cities, enjoy sandy beaches, or hike mountains, there is something for everyone.
