If you are looking for cruise holidays that offer culture, natural attractions and adventure then visiting South America could be for you. The continent is a clutter of 15 countries, but you will never get bored visiting each one of them as every country you visit has something special and exciting to offer. And with a Holland America Line cruise, you can pick the itinerary that suits your needs to ensure that you have a wonderful experience as you journey around South America.
There are also plenty of cruise deals on offer to ensure that your entire South American journey does not break the bank either. If you intend to visit the continent for a spot of culture, then Rio de Janeiro is sure to be on your planned itinerary.
Boasting some of the mainland’s most famous landmarks – such as Christ the Redeemer – as well as a host of museums, historical sights and even the biggest library in Latin America, you will be able to spend hours exploring all that the city has to offer.
On the other hand, if you prefer getting up close with some of the native wildlife, a cruise around the Galapagos Islands is a must. With a wide variety of species that are not found anywhere else in the world, you will be able to discover South America’s truly unique creatures.
Keep your eyes peeled for the marine iguanas which often take to the sea for a swim, or cast your eyes to the skies to discover some of the birds which are resident on the islands. Among them are the frigate bird, which is easily identifiable by its red chest, as well as blue-footed boobies and Galapagos penguins.
What’s more, you may enjoy all of the sights and discover South America’s beautiful sounds from the comfort of a five-star luxury cruise liner when you book with Holland America.
Vacations to South America are typically a once in a lifetime experience, which means that people who visit here often want to get the most out of every location they discover on their travels. If you’re considering a vacation to this continent, use these tips to help ensure that you have a magnificent time. It has such a wealth of different environments that you can go from trekking across glaciers to wandering out into the desert within days. Many people set out on a trip to South America for an extended period travelling, so I’ve put together a list of top tips to remember when heading out there.
1. Make Sure You See It All.
As there are so many fantastic places across the continent, it’s easy to get stuck in one place. Buenos Aires is renowned as somewhere where travelers get stuck and end up spending all their trip. While this will undoubtedly be a great experience, it’s such a shame to go so far and then only sample one place. With places like Iguazu Falls, Patagonia, and Machu Picchu just a sprinkling of what’s on offer you’d be a fool to only get a taste of one of them.
2. Travel By Bus
This may seem an obvious one, but often people are apprehensive about bus systems abroad, especially with the kind of distances you’re talking about here. However, the buses in South America are, on the most part, incredible – it’s like riding in the lap of luxury. It also gives you a chance to chat with locals when you’re on the longer journeys and get some insider tips. The only place this doesn’t apply is in Bolivia where you may find yourself sharing a seat with a chicken.
3. Ask The Locals
Following on from the previous point, the beautiful place to get information about your destination is from the people who live there. 99% of the people out there are friendly and will be more than happy to chat with someone from faraway lands. This is how you will discover the secrets that aren’t discussed in the guide books like little local restaurants or small clubs. You might even just have a fantastic chat with someone who has great stories and gets a genuine insight into the life of a Peruvian.
4. Consider Doing Brazil Separately
You don’t need a map to tell you how big Brazil is. It takes up nearly half of the entire continent and will be almost impossible to fully explore as part of a trip around South America unless you’ve got an exceedingly long time.It certainly warrants a trip in itself, and I would recommend giving it its own time with a separate trip. I don’t mean the whole place – Rio and the south coast are in touching distance of the rest of the continent but going up to Salvador, Brasilia and beyond requires a huge amount of effort.
5. Don’t Miss Patagonia.
It certainly is a long way to go and can be expensive if you do it at the last minute. However, it will be the best decision you ever made and the best money you ever spent.