AerospaceFan From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 2831 times:
I've never had the pleasure of visiting Latin America, but I understand that it contains some very popular tourist destinations. I hope to visit some of the many diverse and fascinating countries and cultures in that area of the world.
To those who may be familiar with Latin America, could you point out some of the more scenic places that a beginning tourist might enjoy?
I would be looking to spend no more than about two weeks for the entire trip, flying in and out (rather than taking a sea cruise) and perhaps taking the local trains as well as driving.
Derico From Argentina, joined Dec 1999, 4233 posts, RR: 13 Reply 1, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 2825 times:
Two weeks to visit Latin America... I plan to spend 14 days visiting South East Asia and Australia.
It can't be done. It would be the biggest waste of your money.
However, if you focus on ONE area, say, Mexico and Central America (Guatemala and/or Costa Rica), you will enjoy yourself much more, not be running around like a dog behind flights, and actually remember some of the sights you will encounter.
...Spend a week visiting Mexico City, the ruins in Yucatan, and either go to the city of Puebla, Queretaro or Guadalajara. All with very nice colonial Spanish architecture, typical Mexican flavor yet fairly modern, and nice!
Then spend a few days in Guatemala, or in Costa Rica. Believe me you will not see everything in two weeks, but at least you can see the major sights.
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Derico From Argentina, joined Dec 1999, 4233 posts, RR: 13 Reply 3, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 2806 times:
Most definately you should focus on one country or smaller region. The problem with many people is that the just seem to have no clue about the geographic size of the region. They say 'a week in Latin America' in the same way as they say 'a week in Florida'...
It's very amusing, I have seen folk ask questions like "Brazil, Argentina, and Chile in 7 days"....
And they are really serious!
Believe me you will enjoy yourself much more and actually relax a little if you narrow your trip to focus on a specific area. It's the best way to go, and you are right... there is always the next trip.
My internet was not shut down, the internet has shut me down
AndesSMF From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 2782 times:
What about Ecuador??
Cuenca is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, a world heritage site. Havent been there in a long time but I remember being gorgeous.
Guayaquil (my hometown) is like the SFO of South America, that is one city that has improved tremendously over the last few decades. All the people that I know have visited tell me the same thing.
From GYE you can also take a trip thru the 'Route of the Sun', where you can visit many different beaches that a very close together.
In Mexico, get yourself to Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende, those are two beautiful towns. My favorite beach there is Huatulco.
LTU932 From Germany, joined Jan 2006, 13864 posts, RR: 51 Reply 8, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 2779 times:
If you come to Costa Rica, you should visit the Arenal volcano and also the Irazú volcano. Those are really one of the many beautiful places in this country. There are also some great tropical areas in Costa Rica, such as Quepos, Monteverde and Hojancha. I've been at the Arenal, Irazú and the tropical forrest in Hojancha, and I can tell you those places are one of the many really worth visiting. And one historical landmark worth mentioning is the Hacienda Santa Rosa (I believe is called), famous because of the Filibuster War, which later ended in Nicaragua with the sacrifice of Juan Santamaría.
That's all I can come up right now. Costa Rica has lots to offer for people who want to visit the country.
Aerorobnz From Rwanda, joined Feb 2001, 6369 posts, RR: 13 Reply 9, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 2772 times:
In 3 weeks I covered
Buenos Aires
Iguassu
Lima
Cuzco
Macchu Picchu
Sacred valley/Ollantaytambo etc
Rio De Janeiro
I recommend Iguassu most of all, and I can thoroughly recommend the Grand Hotel Iguassu (On the Argentinian side). it is absolutely spectacular. I'd show you some of the 500 scenic/wildlife photos I got, but I wouldn't know where to start. South America makes you feel like a National Geographic photographer....(heaps of people have been trying to get me to send them in to NG)
Flyingbabydoc From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 10, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 2769 times:
Quoting AerospaceFan (Thread starter): To those who may be familiar with Latin America, could you point out some of the more scenic places that a beginning tourist might enjoy?
Definitely Rio and surroundings. The Northeast of Brazil is worth a trip of several months. The Amazon Jungle is also a must (spend sometime in Manaus and go on a "safari" in the jungle). Peru would be another highlight. But I think that 14 days is very little time. I would agree that you should focus in one area or country and leave the rest for another trip.
Quoting AerospaceFan (Reply 4): I'd probably want to go during Carnivale. In Rio.
Oh NO you do not want. Unless you want to pay an absurd for lodging and everything else. It is booked in advance for years. And chances are you will not get to see the Samba's schools anyways (tickets mostly in the black market). I love Rio in the winter time - not as hot (but enough to swim), not as crowded, much better.
Oli80 From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2006, 685 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 2757 times:
One that hasn't been mentioned yet: Lake Titicaca.
It's quite remote and bare, but the floating islands, as well as the 2 big islands near Puno are beautiful at sunset. There are also the smaller islands near Copacabana on the Bolivian side that are worth a visit.
Quite high altitude though! Not for the faint hearted. Especially if you want to walk across some of the islands.
Erikwilliam From Brazil, joined Mar 2004, 2152 posts, RR: 13 Reply 12, posted (7 years 3 months 2 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 2751 times:
Dude, take this money, go to NOrthEast Brasil, stay there for 14 days, eating, drinking, tanning and f**k some whores, I´m pretty sure it´ll be the time of your life.
Dida, Cafu, Lucio, Roque Junior, Roberto Carlo, Emerson, Ze Roberto, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Adriano, Robinho, Ronaldo
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Scenic places? You've come to the right place! Here are some for starters:
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