Best places to visit in Colombia/South America

I'm going to be living in Colombia for at least two years, and possibly more, so I drew up a list of places I would like to visit. Just wanted to get some comments from those who have visited about the following spots I've put together in my "list" of things to do while I'm down there.

Things like ease of access, costs, lodging/food, overall worthwhileness (is that a word?) of going...

1) Angel Falls, Venezuela
2) Galapagos Islands
3) Iguazu Falls
4) Easter Island/Chile and Tahiti
5) Rio de Janeiro
6) Itaipu Dam

I definitely want to do 1, 2 and 5. Just not sure how the board members here feel about the other three. I think Easter Island would be amazing but expensive...I'm assuming one would fly out of Chile to get there, or maybe not?

Having seen Hoover Dam, I would assume that Itaipu couldn't be THAT much more exciting, although it's certainly the biggest dam in South America. Any thoughts or comments?

By caulfield2 on May 25, 2005, 13:03 in Friendly Talkzone.

Willy says on May 25, 2005, 13:36:

My $0.02 My MUST see things in S. America:

As far as BIG cities ... Rio and Buenos Aires are a must.

I've never seen Angel Falls, but I have see Iguassu Falls. IMHO (w/o even seeing Angel Falls), GO TO IGUASSU !!! AMAZING !!!

I think the Galapagos Islands and Easter Island could be cool. I would also add Machu Pichhu to the list. And, while we are at it ... possibly a trip down to the Patagonia region. And, if you are extra adventurous, Anatarctica.

I've been to Manaus (Amazonia Brazil). Also highly recommended, IMHO.

South America is wonderful. So many things to see. Enjoy.

- Willy

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caulfield2 says on May 25, 2005, 13:54:

I forgot Machu Pichu SOMEHOW. That's probably number one on my list, actually.

And that one's pretty simple from what I've heard, just get to Cuzco and you'll find your way from there. Angel Falls looks a little more complicated.

Have you seen the movie "The Motorcycle Diaries"? Just curious.

How long did you spend in Brazil? Did you spend much time on the Amazon? Where did you stay at or near Manaus?

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Willy says on May 25, 2005, 14:13:

South America Have you seen the movie "The Motorcycle Diaries"?
No.

How long did you spend in Brazil?
About 2 weeks over Christmas/New Years a few years back. Did Rio, Iguassu Falls, and Manaus all on the same trip. I would highly recommend buying the Varig airpass. It allows you to jetset across Brazil for something like $400 for up to 5 or 6 stops.

Did you spend much time on the Amazon?
I was there for 2 nights and 3 days.

Where did you stay at or near Manaus?
I stayed atb the Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel. It's about a 2 hour boat ride into the Amazon from Manaus. I would highly recommend this hotel!

- Willy

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fijacionoral says on May 25, 2005, 14:32:

Cabo de la Vela in La Guajira, Colombia is....AMAZING, thats it :D

BEST BEACH in Colombia, and the only desert-beach

pictures here

http://www.uniandes.edu.co/Colombia/banco_de_imagenes/cabo/cabotot.html

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claudia82 says on May 25, 2005, 14:50:

Another idea You should try to do to Santiago de Chile stay there 3 or 4 days during those days go to Valparaiso and Isla Negra (its a 2 hours drive) visit Pablo Neruda's houses (now museums) in each city (Have u heard of him?? Amazing houses... then make your way down to Patagonia visiting different towns and get to Puerto Varas(towns in that area like Frutillar are nice to visit) and around...there u can start the lake crossing (a 1 or 2 days trip u choose) and it ends in Bariloche Argentina stay there a couple of days then u can take a plane or a bus to buenos aires (20 hours bus drive but very comfortable if you do it in a "bus cama")enjooooy Buenos Aires and then u can make your way up to Cordoba, Iguazú and Salta ...I've donde this trip up to Buenos Aires and it's reallly nice...next time i want to continue up to Brazil

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Copete says on May 25, 2005, 15:39:

Itaipu, Iguazu Itaipu Dam is very close to Iguazu falls (which are definitely a must), and can certainly be seen on the same visit. In fact, there's a day trip package that does the Brazilian side of Iguazu falls, Itaipu Dam, and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay). Cuidad del Este is a dump, reminded me of Maicao (in the Colombian border with Venezuela), with the difference that C.D.E. is the second or third city in Paraguay, although the border crossing and experiencing the obvious contraband that goes on from up close makes the trip worth it.

Also, I hope you realize that many of the places you propose are very far away from Colombia, and the cost of the trip may not necessarily be lower than from, say, the USA. International travel within South America is quite expensive, as South Americans don't travel that much within the continent.

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 25, 2005, 15:44:

Echoing Copete I'm making the assumption that you're coming from the states. If that's true, almost every destination you listed except the Galapagos is as expensive or more expensive to reach from Colombia as it is from the states. For example, tickets to Santiago de Chile are the same price or more from Bogota as from NYC or LA. Rio and Buenos Aires are as much or more.

Things I'd recommended in Colombia, off the top of my head, are Parque Tayrona, scuba diving in San Andres/Providencia, a full-moon weekend in Cartagena, the Amazon.

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gorgonabob says on May 25, 2005, 21:22:

my view my best experience after four years in south america..... kaieteur falls in guyana... puts angel falls and iquazu to shame.. i have been to both... youre in for an adventure though.. posible to walk trek there on your own.. its a riot..

take a trip down the amazon... try iquitos-leticia for a start then upscale to leticia manaus.

the galapagos islands is another highlight...

take a visit to isla gorgona and the sierra nevada de cocuy if you want some action in colombia

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camilo says on May 26, 2005, 06:24:

- Parque amacayacu, leticia COLOMBIA
- Cartagena, Colombia
- Providencia, Colombia
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Machu Pichu, Peru

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platano says on May 26, 2005, 07:03:

Inner Adventure in Colombia Don't miss the department of Risaralda, especially places like Mistrató and San Antonio del Chamí. Check with knowledgeable Colombians first to determine the degree of guerrilla activity/presence before you go as these are a little off the beaten tourist track. Great places for inner exploration, great places for practicing meditation. Great places for relaxing, enjoying the natural beauty, and just soaking up the vibes.

Plátano, el banano verde
Oxigeno Verde ¡Libertad por Ingrid y los demás!

plátano

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vanwely says on May 26, 2005, 07:25:

My 2 cents
1. Machu Pichu - a life changing experience
2. Iguazu
3. The Saturday markets in Otavalo, Ecuador

Colombia - Tierra Querida

Colombia - Tierra Querida

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hungryowl says on May 26, 2005, 08:10:

BEST BEACH in Colombia, and the only desert-beach Hi...I was REALLY happy to see your photos of the magnificently beautiful coast. I have simply never seen a coastal area as majestic.

My wife (Adriana) is from Cali. We lived part of last year and the year prior in Cali. This coming school year we will have our oldest son in school in Cali because the schools in the US are deplorable. I love exploring natural settings, and wanted to do so in Colombia, but Adriana was afraid I, or our family, would be kidnapped. So, my question is this: the costal reqion in your wonderful photos - are they safe for visits? And, two, what is the best way to travel there from Cali? Thank you very much.

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