Generally speaking, the geography of South America can be split into three distinct sections. The continental shield in the east includes the Guiana Highlands and Brazilian Highlands. The South American cordillera flanks the Pacific shore in the west and is encased by the Andes Mountains. The interior lowlands make up the bulk of the land mass and include much of the Amazon rainforest.
The first step in traveling to South America is choosing a destination. Some of the most popular South America destinations are:
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: One of the largest cities in the world, Rio is ideally situated between the Atlantic Ocean and coastal mountains. Visit beaches, party down at Carnaval, enjoy world-class shopping or visit the plethora of cultural museums.
Amazonia: Explore the vast reaches of the Amazon rainforest in countries such as Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil and Bolivia. Jungle cruises, rainforest tours and and outdoor sports such as kayaking and fishing are the major draw of this captivating locale.
Machu Picchu, Peru: Step back in time and explore the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu. This is the most visited tourist destination in all of Peru.
Patagonia: Head to the deep south of South America to the Andes Mountains of Argentina and Chile. Hiking, coastal sailing and other nature-attractions are scattered throughout the region.
Galapagos Archipelago: As the inspiration for Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, the Galapagos serve as a major wildlife observation and research destination.
Located below the equator, the seasons of South America are swapped with those found in the United States. However, as the continent covers a wide swathe of land and features drastic geographical extremes, the ideal time to visit South America may depend on your exact destination. However, the months of December to February tend to be the most popular travel times, as Americans and Europeans seek to escape the cold winter weather found in their homeland.
Each South American country features a unique culture with a variety of native and modern cultures. Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru are the best places to discover vastly different cultures your own. For a more familiar trip to South America, you may want to stick to countries that feature mostly European populations, such as Chile, Argentina and Brazil.
Before booking your flight to South America, make sure you have all the necessary travel documents. Most importantly is an up-to-date passport. You may also be required to show vaccine records if you are traveling to parts of South America that yield the potential for infectious diseases. Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Yellow Fever are all common travel vaccines that may be required.
