The mere mention of South America should get the blood pumping through your veins, your head spinning, the adrenalin surging, and open wide your eyes.
This continent is begging to be discovered and will envelop you in a fanatical embrace and infuse so much spirit into your person, you’ll be the life and soul of every party. WOW!
Mother Nature was having a good day when choosing what to grace this vast land with; the Amazon Rainforest, the snow peaked Andes, alpine lakes a plenty, the amazing Patagonian glaciers, idyllic beaches.
Five unforgettable South America experiences
Choosing five (only five!) unforgettable experiences is going to be a little tricky… wish us luck, here we go…
1. Give your CV something to shout about and volunteer
If you’re after a little more depth from your South America experience then you need to apply for volunteer work. Build houses, help protect the Amazon, contribute to conservation efforts on the Galapagos Islands, teach English in Buenos Aires… there’s tons of projects that can put your skills to the test, and the short and long-term benefits are beyond anything you could ever ask for. Some trips are structured whilst there are also free volunteer opportunities.
2. Gush over the views of Iguassu falls
Iguassu Falls means ‘great waters’ and although this translation is pretty spot on, it’s more than a little understated; try ‘gargantuan/huge/immense, enormous/monstrous waters’ and you’ll get more of an accurate picture! The sheer power of Iguassu will literally knock your socks off. For those that are brave enough (and fancy getting rather wet) you can opt to take a boat ride and get up close and personal.
View our guides to:
• Working in Brazil
• Working in Argentina
3. Four wheel drive over the salt flats
Jeremy Clarkson eat your heart out. Driving across the salt flats is a fantastic experience, even more so when you’re in a 4×4. The area’s unusual landscape of mountains, active volcanoes and geysers is like nowhere on earth, and the contrast of piercing blue skies and blinding white salt on the flat lakebed will make your camera very happy, and your friends on Facebook very jealous.
View our guide to working in Bolivia.
4. Follow in Darwin’s footsteps on the Galapagos Islands
Animal lovers rejoice, for the Galapagos Islands are your paradise. In a world where flora and fauna are truly ‘A List’, you won’t ever want to step foot in a city environment again. Hang out with iguanas, snorkel with sea lions, meet giant tortoise older than Bruce Forsyth and see loads of boobies (calm down, they’re a species of bird). From the stark lava fields to rich vegetation and white sandy beaches — the islands are ready and waiting, and need to be explored.
View our guide to working in Ecuador.
5. Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are, of course, Peru’s most famous must-sees, however this fascinating country has much more on offer. Why not join one of the many treks into the Amazon to see some of the world’s greatest wildlife, accessing the Amazon from Peru is one of the best value and easiest ways, or see the country from the locals’ point of view, with a home-stay on Lake Titicaca.
View our guide to working in Peru.
So what are you thinking? Would you put these activities on your South American itinerary or go throw in something a little different? View our guide to finding jobs in South America if you would like to move to this continent. Or for purely exploration, this South America travel guide has lots of recommendations.