Lee Abbamonte

Lee Abbamonte's Guide to South America

Friday, July 26, 2019
By Azamara

South America is one of my favorite places to travel in the entire world. It’s massive, vibrant, and a rich diversity of cultures, landscapes, and people. It would take years to see and experience it all.

When traveling through South America on your own, navigating the different bureaucracies and booking multiple hotels and modes of transit can be complicated. That's why it's so exciting that Azamara is returning to South America with some truly epic itineraries. Here are a few highlights!

Argentina

Argentina is one of my favorite countries in the world. When people ask me where I would consider living aside from the United States, Argentina is right at the top of my list. The food ranks in my top three of any country I've visited (and I've visited them all). If you go, I hope you eat meat, but Argentine cuisine has plenty of options even if you don’t!

Buenos Aires is an amazing city that needs to be experienced to believe. The late-night culture and wonderful people are tough to beat. The busy streets can be tricky to maneuver, but don’t stress. Just have a nice glass of wine and relax at a café!

Iguazu Falls

The Iguazu Falls are one of the greatest sights in the world. The waterfalls straddle the border of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, making it possible to visit all three countries in one day without a visa. The majestic falls should be a bucket list item for everyone! Even though they're located inland, you can visit them before or after your Azamara cruise with their Land & Sea package.

Ushuaia, Falkland Islands, and Antarctica

Further south in Argentina is Ushuaia, the bottom of the world and gateway to Antarctica. Another nearby and amazing destination is Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. These three places are truly mesmerizing, and you can visit all three during Azamara's 17-Night Antarctica Pursuit Voyage. Pack your camera for that voyage!

Chile

On the other side of Patagonia lies Chile. Chile is yet another South American country with so much to offer that it’s hard to summarize in short. From Punta Arenas, you can hike into the Andes and see Torres Del Paine, one of the most amazing hikes I’ve ever done! Further north, Azamara will visit Puerto Montt in the Chilean Lakes District, which is one of the most underrated parts of Chile. Make sure you visit while it's still a hidden gem. Valparaiso is another fantastic city, thanks to its artsy vibe and proximity to wine country. 

Uruguay

Uruguay is the forgotten country of South America. It’s wedged between the travel powerhouses of Brazil and Argentina, but Uruguay punches well above its weight. Montevideo is a great place to eat, drink, and stroll. It is like a less hectic Buenos Aires. Nearby Colonia is a great day trip as well. Further up the coast is the Hamptons of South America: Punta del Este. It's well worth a visit for its amazing beaches and fun atmosphere.

Brazil

Brazil is, of course, the home of samba and Carnival. Visiting Rio de Janeiro should be on everyone’s bucket list. It’s as beautiful as it is energetic and you cannot help but feel the vibe. Brazilian cuisine is fantastic, and it’s the home of acai. You can get it just about everywhere. It’s life-changing stuff!

South America offers so much to see and do, I could write forever. That’s why it’s so great that Azamara makes it easy for you to explore the continent and see so many different places in one trip. The Azamara Pursuit will cruise to South America in 2018 and 2019. Browse all the voyages here.


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