The best South American country to visit

[tweaker]

I know they all differ a-lot but, can anyone give me suggestions ?

I like the look of Rio (party or not), and possibly Argentina. Speaking Portuguese I'd opt for Brazil. However Colombia and Peru look great also!

I'm not comfortable back-packing around. I'd go to one country this year, and another the next.

[KARL]

I have only been to Argentina and Chile where we saw the Mendoza-Valparaiso corridor in the north and Patagonia on both sides of the border in the south, nothing east of that Andean zone (i.e not Buenos Aires, etc.). We thoroughly enjoyed the almost month-long journey and If I had to choose which country to return to then I think it would be Chile by a narrow margin.

[tweaker]

Karl - Thanks, I agree that a month (at least) - if not -definitely- more, must be needed to see what's there.

I'll get a selection of lonely planet books to look through and decide.

For me South America is totally under rated (for the British). Most are scared, or dubious about traveling there.

I rather like the thought of 'the unknown'.

[KARL]

Yes, agree with you. What we found was that English is not widely spoken (not altogether absent though) and if you ask then people will tell you they don't speak it. I have a smattering of Spanish understanding so it frequently worked fine for me to speak in English while they replied in Spanish - it turns out that lots of people seem to have some understanding of English. Also, we found that (unlike in some European countries I can think of) that, almost without exception, people were extremely keen to be of help. There were some wonderful examples of people going out of their way to assist, totally without English just wanted to be useful. It is a very friendly part of the world.

[jno]

I've been to Rio twice and didn't much like it. Not a lot to see - beaches that you can't take anything but a towel to (or it'll be stolen), the statue of Christ, the botanical gardens... that's sort of it. But if you speak Portuguese, that'd put it for you ahead of the rest of South America, which mostly speaks Spanish. However, Manaus way up the Amazon is worth a visit; so is Salvador on the coast. Brasilia has interesting modern architecture.

But personally I thought Buenos Aires was much more interesting. You can see Iguazu falls from either the Brazilian or Argentine sides but I think the Argentine side is better.

Peru for the ancient sites, specially Machu Picchu, and Cuzco as a fine colonial town. Lima's nothing special. The train across the altiplano to Lake Puno is wonderful.

Colombia: Bogota was also nothing really extraordinary but Cartagena is pretty.

[boxtops]

Has the train line to Machu Pichu been reinstated now? I heard on the radio the other day that the country had not realised how much tourism would be lost because tourists couldn't visit the site with the ruins being temporarily out of reach!

[jno]

just this week

http://news.bbc.co.uk.../americas/8601871.stm

[tweaker]

Thanks again folks.

Colombia - Cartagena is where I'd stay - I've watched and read alot about the place.

Brazil - A friend of a friend lives in Santos, a bit further SW down the coast of Rio. I'd feel better doing that I guess. I like to look of Argentina though. Also lots of Portuguese folk tell me it's the best option (for safety).

As much as I like Portugal, I'd rather venture to a country which isn't full of overweight English and German tourists sunbathing etc.... you get the idea.

[thugulike]

Argentina and Chile would be my favourites. Peru was interesting but dangerous, Bolivia not much to report. Mainland Equador was much safer and more enjoyable than Peru. I know Costa Rica is Central America but this fab country is my all time favourite for landscape, wildlife, culture and safety.