Top 5: Reasons South America is a Favorite Travel Destination

 
 
Until recently South America had been thought of as an unstable continent, wrought with internal strife, militant dictators, and poverty. That stigma kept international travelers away for decades but is starting to fade, and travelers are beginning to discover what they’ve been missing – namely a culturally diverse, geographically stunning region which offers some of the best “unspoiled” destinations on earth. Here are 5 reasons why you should make South America your next vacation destination.
 

1. Safety

 

 
One of the biggest reasons why travelers miss out on South America is fear of pickpockets, riots, and other horror stories of the same nature.  Although there are certainly still areas in South America that are unsafe for tourists, the majority of the continent has changed for the better over the last decade. For example, Medellín, Colombia (a city that was previously synonymous with drug cartels and violence) has undergone a serious revamping. The city’s crime rate has dropped almost 90% since the 90′s, and international festivals, gastronomy and nightlife now define the city. Other major cities such as Buenos Aires have been safe for decades. Of course, one must always be careful when traveling abroad, but the risk of falling victim to a South American crime or scam has decreased dramatically.
 
 

2. Destination Hopping

 

 
Europe has always been thought of as the continent for this, with more destinations than you can shake a Eurorail Pass at in close proximity to one another.  Now, with the proliferation of air routes and development of trekking trails, South America has taken on a similar quality.  Adventurous travelers have the option of a three-day journey along the Amazon, hiking the Inca Trail to reach the breathtaking mountain civilization of Machu Picchu or scaling the rugged cliffs and glaciers of the Patagonian wilderness. For the luxury and leisure seekers among us, a few days each in Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Rio gives one exposure to the continent’s most European capital, Argentina’s stunning wine region and beaches + Brasilian good times, with direct flights of 2-3 hours between destinations.
 
 

3. The “Bang for Your Buck” Factor

 

 
No matter your price range, one of the best things about South America are the exchange rates. It’s always nice to live cheaply, especially on vacation. Although the currency itself changes from country to country, the exchange rate constantly favors tourists; South America has unsurprisingly been included in the top 5 best places to stretch the dollar by Travel+Leisure magazine.  Countries such as Argentina, Chile, and Colombia have remained particularly in reach of USD and Euro-wielding visitors, while Brasil is a bit pricier (particularly Rio and São Paulo, which are now flat-out expensive).
 
 

4. Nightlife

 

 
A key aspect of South American culture is the fact that most South Americans love to party, and they do it as often as possible.  Brasil is the poster child for the South American party scene. Even outside of Carnival season, this country seriously knows how to get down. The combination of beautiful people and beaches in cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Florianopólis and the sophisticated, non-stop scene in São Paulo makes for the number one nightlife destination in South America. Buenos Aires also boasts a chic and sophisticated nightclub scene, with nights that generally outlast the sunrise. In Colombia, people generally get to bed a bit earlier (meaning 4am instead of 6am), but Bogota and Medellín both have plenty going on (and some of the prettiest girls in the world).
 
 

5. Food/Gastronomy

 

 
Last, but definitely not least, is the unbelievably diverse South American cuisine. Whether it’s Argentine steaks, Peruvian ceviche, or the Portuguese-influenced feijoada in Brasil, tasty dishes are sure to blow your mind regardless of where in the continent you land. Try as many as possible!