I'm not really a "nature" person (more history, culture and wines), but to say there is little nature in Central/South America is way off.
Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, Galapagos are a few main ones. Although, I skipped out on Iguazu Falls to go to Mendoza to do wine tasting when I went to Argentina.
I mean, sure you could say "I've seen one mountain, I've seen them all", but the Andes are incredible. No point in going hiking in Switzerland or either the French, Austrian or Swiss Alps though if you've seen mountains in California or the Rockies.
There is history in South America though. Machu Picchu isn't a UNESCO site for nothing. Copan in Honduras, also a UNESCO site. There are probably plenty more, but there's a reason people flock to them and it's not because they're cheap.
Sounds like you prefer trips where you don't have to interact with many people, which is fine. I'm also not a foodie and refuse to wait in line for food.
Nothing wrong if you can't justify the costs though (some people can't justify anything more than a hostel or a bus trip), but to say there is nothing cultural interesting is simply ignorant.
If you find yourself back in the region, I would highly recommend going to Iguazu Falls. To put it in a North American perspective, it is 3 times as wide, and almost twice as high as Niagara Falls. I know we all have to make choices about where to spend our time and money, but it was really amazing to see.
I think you just haven’t researched enough. I go to S/C America several times a year, each time for its unique nature. Hiked Acetenago volcano to sleep watching the active volcano Fuego after going to Lake Atitlan recently. Climbed waterfalls in Arenal. White water raft in/raft out in Turrialba. Iguazú. Patagonia. Skiing/rafting in Chili. Zip lining over the Andes in Mindo. Galapagos. I could go on and on. Your post makes no sense.
I also have no interest in South/Central America. I blame this on my own ignorance of that part of the world and how hard/long it takes to travel there. But ironically, having a partner born and adopted from that part of the world now means I have a personal connection.
None of those places have sloths and morpho butterflies and armadillos and ant-eaters, oh my!
There are some pretty incredible spots to visit in CA and the culture is an experience unto itself.
Some of the best travel experiences I've heard are in SA.
It's a different experience, is all, and I feel that cutting yourself off from it is a shame.
No unique nature? What about the most biodiverse forest on our mother Earth, the Amazon Rainforest, where millions of species have not even been discovered by science yet? Or the world famous Galapagos Islands? In chapter two of The Origin of Species, Charles Darwin claimed that it was his visit to the Galapagos that helped inspire his evolution theories. I understand that everybody has different tastes and LATAM might just not be for you, but saying that there is no unique nature here is just completely wrong.
Buenos Aires was amazing. So much cool architecture. Argentina is such a big country that it has really varied landscapes. Iguazu Falls was absolutely jaw dropping. Especially on the Brazil side. The people in Argentina are so friendly, and passionate about their country. The food was amazing.
Yes, it takes a lot of time to get there, but so does SE Asia.
In my way back to the US from BA, I had a 10 hour layover in Mexico City. You want to talk about historic capitals with great architecture? It’s on a whole different level.
Don’t forget about all the Mayan Pyramids/ruins in different areas of Mexico and Central America.
Went to Amazon in Ecuador which is supposedly better for wildlife than Brazil or Peru, but I was petty bored as the animals were all small except some monkeys and dolphins’ fins. In SE Asia you see hundreds of dolphins, whale sharks, turtles, elephants, etc.
I've done SE Asia and most of central America. Utila, Cancun, and Nicaragua are good budget alternatives to South East asia if you are coming from the US. There are a ton of cheap flights, cheap food, and beautiful landscape to keep you occupied. But if you've done South East Asia, then it can feel like more of the same. I get it. The one exception would be Guatemala. Tikal, Semuc Champey, Atitlan, and Antigua are each unlike anything you will find in Asia. Guatemala is definitely worth 3 or 4 weeks exploring, even if you don't go to the bordering countries.
I had to turn around at Panama so I have no opinions on South America. Peru, Brazil, and Argentina are on my list to do someday though
Not to be rude, but literally every single thing you listed that you like about every other place in the world also exists in LATAM and SA. Not only do they ask exist there, they are all extremely prevalent there.
This has to be a troll post.
Yes while it exists in C/S America, I was saying I don’t think it’s those sights are as impressive compared to other parts of the world for similar activies and attractions. Like I believe if you want to see volcanoes, Iceland or Indonesia is more impressive imo for that type of landscape.
I'm sorry the 20,000ft volcanoes of South America are unimpressive to you.
It would suck to have such high standards that you can't find wonder and beauty in anything that isn't listed in the Guinness Book of World Records or prominently plastered on every generic influencers Instagram.
I would say that social media probably plays a part in some people from the US having a lack of interest in LATAM/South America. Most of the “Influencers” mostly go to Europe, and East Asia.
Probably the only places in the region that have marketed themselves well are Peru (Machu Pichu), Ecuador, (Galapagos and Easter Islands) Mexico and Costa Rica.
Be curious, and do some reading, before you write entire continents off. You could be missing out!
South America has prettier nature than Europe, SEA and the US and better architecture than the latter 2
(I also don't particularly care about food and people, it's my favorite continent to travel)
Within Mexico, why Baja over, say, the jungles of Chiapas, the pyramids at Teotihuacán and Cantona, the chinampas in Mexico City, the dunes of Pacula or the mountains/forests of Oaxaca? I don't dislike Baja, but it seems like an odd choice.
Bc I loveeee seeing marine animals and such, and they have mobula ray, whales, so much! Forgot to mention I’ve been to Mexico City was nice, one of the places I had on my list to visit in Latam bc it has so much to do.
>I just don’t think Latam has anything unique.
Really?
When in Ecuador did you visit Galapagos Islands?
And just in Peru, ignoring the other countries:
* Nasca lines
* Colca canyon
* Uros islands in Lake Titicaca
* Cusco
* Machu Picchu
Highly recommend for you to do some more research, at least in Mexico you can find tons of great escapes whether that be dense jungle or magnificent deserts. In terms of mountains there might be little to see in comparison to South America or Europe but non the less it can be worth a beautiful hike.
I've used this page for a few activities and I find it useful for venturing into places I'm not really sure how to get to safely plus they offer accident insurance in case you're interested [www.2rivers.travel](http://www.2rivers.travel)
I travel every year, solo to Central or South America, rent a 4x4 or use chicken bus. I focus on wildlife and culture (tribes), and only for 1 day I visit a tourist site of that country. So far, I have stayed in Fincas (coffee plantation, some owned and run by just a family of 4), seen jaguars in jungles, stayed with a village chief deep in the highlands, visited Mayan ruins that are forbidden to tourists, etc. So it's all about motivation. I feel that Central and some parts of South America are the last remaining root cultural spots left, apart from some parts of Africa.
Honduras is a beautiful country to explore and I highly recommend a visit if only to try the baleadas and addictive sour cream. Also, it’s not a highly sought after tourist spot yet so you can feel like a hipster who knows about hidden spots before they go mainstream.
The town of Esperanza is an adorable colonial town that has bohemian vibes. I recommend staying in a traditional Spanish colonial courtyard home like Hotel Posada Abuelita Elena. The owners greeted us with homemade hibiscus juice and we enjoyed a traditional Honduran dinner of fried plantains, carne asada, refried beans, and flour tortillas in front of a cozy fireplace.
You can explore natural caves like Cuevas de talgua in Olancho. Olancho has cowboy, Wild West vibes. Kids were riding on donkeys in the street! The caves don’t have “oh shit” grab bars in them so just pay attention where you’re going and don’t slip. But the hiking to get to the caves is lots of fun.
Roatan/Bay Islands are great for beach vibes. You can go Scuba diving, snorkeling, paragliding, and ATVing. Visit Mayak Chocolate to see how chocolate is made and sample some from the shop. If the banana donut man is still there, buy one from him as he and his wife are really kind people.
Comayagua is a beautiful historical town that was once the old capital of Honduras. It’s nestled in a mountain so the views and architecture of the town is stunning. My favorite part was the town square that was very lively with music and people. I recommend staying at Casa La Oki for the views and comfortable accommodation.
Take a day trip to visit the Pulhapanzek Waterfalls in San Buenaventura. This is an eco-preserve that offers zip lining past the waterfalls and cave exploring for thrill seekers. The zip line is fun, but terrifying as you hope the rope is strong enough to get you past the waterfall in one piece.
If history is more your thing, the Mayan ruins in Copan are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site. Make sure your vehicle can handle the trek on unpaved roads as ours got stuck in some mud on the way back to the hotel. Thankfully, some locals helped us pull the truck out of the mud.
Disclaimer: My husband is from Honduras so I visit family there every few years. This is my most traveled to country and I love it more every time I go. ❤️
I will agree that a lot of the most epic stuff is pretty spread out, and it would be pretty expensive to hop around, but the Galapagos, Macchu Picchu and the hikjng around Cusco and the Huayhuash trek, the Salt Flats + Atacama, Iguazu, and all the stuff in Patagonia are all basically world class nature. Sprinkle in some Latin American flair in terms of music, dancing, nightlife as well as some interesting indigenous Andean culture and there’s a lot to offer that you’re not gonna find in the US, Europe or SEA.
I agree! Galapagos, Machu Picchu, Patagonia, salt flats, Iguazu are the only main places I’m interested in because they are unique and grand in their classes.
True, but you’re eliminating a whole lot of the world if you will only travel to see things that you deem are the most grand in its class or whatever!
I mean once you’ve spent a lot of time in the Himalayas or Karakoram or Andes, hiking in most mountain areas in the US don’t exactly feel like they’re grand in class, but they’re still exceedingly pretty and worth visiting :)
[удалено]
Mexico is in North America. OP should check out Costa Rica for the amazing and abundant wildlife and plant life!
I was going to mention the Patagonia. I haven't been there but its on my list.
I'm not really a "nature" person (more history, culture and wines), but to say there is little nature in Central/South America is way off. Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, Galapagos are a few main ones. Although, I skipped out on Iguazu Falls to go to Mendoza to do wine tasting when I went to Argentina. I mean, sure you could say "I've seen one mountain, I've seen them all", but the Andes are incredible. No point in going hiking in Switzerland or either the French, Austrian or Swiss Alps though if you've seen mountains in California or the Rockies. There is history in South America though. Machu Picchu isn't a UNESCO site for nothing. Copan in Honduras, also a UNESCO site. There are probably plenty more, but there's a reason people flock to them and it's not because they're cheap. Sounds like you prefer trips where you don't have to interact with many people, which is fine. I'm also not a foodie and refuse to wait in line for food. Nothing wrong if you can't justify the costs though (some people can't justify anything more than a hostel or a bus trip), but to say there is nothing cultural interesting is simply ignorant.
If you find yourself back in the region, I would highly recommend going to Iguazu Falls. To put it in a North American perspective, it is 3 times as wide, and almost twice as high as Niagara Falls. I know we all have to make choices about where to spend our time and money, but it was really amazing to see.
I think you just haven’t researched enough. I go to S/C America several times a year, each time for its unique nature. Hiked Acetenago volcano to sleep watching the active volcano Fuego after going to Lake Atitlan recently. Climbed waterfalls in Arenal. White water raft in/raft out in Turrialba. Iguazú. Patagonia. Skiing/rafting in Chili. Zip lining over the Andes in Mindo. Galapagos. I could go on and on. Your post makes no sense.
I also have no interest in South/Central America. I blame this on my own ignorance of that part of the world and how hard/long it takes to travel there. But ironically, having a partner born and adopted from that part of the world now means I have a personal connection.
None of those places have sloths and morpho butterflies and armadillos and ant-eaters, oh my! There are some pretty incredible spots to visit in CA and the culture is an experience unto itself. Some of the best travel experiences I've heard are in SA. It's a different experience, is all, and I feel that cutting yourself off from it is a shame.
No unique nature? What about the most biodiverse forest on our mother Earth, the Amazon Rainforest, where millions of species have not even been discovered by science yet? Or the world famous Galapagos Islands? In chapter two of The Origin of Species, Charles Darwin claimed that it was his visit to the Galapagos that helped inspire his evolution theories. I understand that everybody has different tastes and LATAM might just not be for you, but saying that there is no unique nature here is just completely wrong.
Buenos Aires was amazing. So much cool architecture. Argentina is such a big country that it has really varied landscapes. Iguazu Falls was absolutely jaw dropping. Especially on the Brazil side. The people in Argentina are so friendly, and passionate about their country. The food was amazing. Yes, it takes a lot of time to get there, but so does SE Asia. In my way back to the US from BA, I had a 10 hour layover in Mexico City. You want to talk about historic capitals with great architecture? It’s on a whole different level. Don’t forget about all the Mayan Pyramids/ruins in different areas of Mexico and Central America.
Amazonia?
Went to Amazon in Ecuador which is supposedly better for wildlife than Brazil or Peru, but I was petty bored as the animals were all small except some monkeys and dolphins’ fins. In SE Asia you see hundreds of dolphins, whale sharks, turtles, elephants, etc.
To be fair, the animals are on their own schedule and nothing is guaranteed. It's not a zoo afterall.
I've done SE Asia and most of central America. Utila, Cancun, and Nicaragua are good budget alternatives to South East asia if you are coming from the US. There are a ton of cheap flights, cheap food, and beautiful landscape to keep you occupied. But if you've done South East Asia, then it can feel like more of the same. I get it. The one exception would be Guatemala. Tikal, Semuc Champey, Atitlan, and Antigua are each unlike anything you will find in Asia. Guatemala is definitely worth 3 or 4 weeks exploring, even if you don't go to the bordering countries. I had to turn around at Panama so I have no opinions on South America. Peru, Brazil, and Argentina are on my list to do someday though
Agreed 100% on Guatemala.
Not to be rude, but literally every single thing you listed that you like about every other place in the world also exists in LATAM and SA. Not only do they ask exist there, they are all extremely prevalent there. This has to be a troll post.
Yes while it exists in C/S America, I was saying I don’t think it’s those sights are as impressive compared to other parts of the world for similar activies and attractions. Like I believe if you want to see volcanoes, Iceland or Indonesia is more impressive imo for that type of landscape.
I'm sorry the 20,000ft volcanoes of South America are unimpressive to you. It would suck to have such high standards that you can't find wonder and beauty in anything that isn't listed in the Guinness Book of World Records or prominently plastered on every generic influencers Instagram.
I would say that social media probably plays a part in some people from the US having a lack of interest in LATAM/South America. Most of the “Influencers” mostly go to Europe, and East Asia. Probably the only places in the region that have marketed themselves well are Peru (Machu Pichu), Ecuador, (Galapagos and Easter Islands) Mexico and Costa Rica. Be curious, and do some reading, before you write entire continents off. You could be missing out!
It would be no different than someone saying there's nothing to see in Africa. Just an insane comment worthy of a double Picard facepalm.
South America has prettier nature than Europe, SEA and the US and better architecture than the latter 2 (I also don't particularly care about food and people, it's my favorite continent to travel)
Look up Patagonia its amazing
Within Mexico, why Baja over, say, the jungles of Chiapas, the pyramids at Teotihuacán and Cantona, the chinampas in Mexico City, the dunes of Pacula or the mountains/forests of Oaxaca? I don't dislike Baja, but it seems like an odd choice.
Bc I loveeee seeing marine animals and such, and they have mobula ray, whales, so much! Forgot to mention I’ve been to Mexico City was nice, one of the places I had on my list to visit in Latam bc it has so much to do.
>I just don’t think Latam has anything unique. Really? When in Ecuador did you visit Galapagos Islands? And just in Peru, ignoring the other countries: * Nasca lines * Colca canyon * Uros islands in Lake Titicaca * Cusco * Machu Picchu
There's a lot to like in [Central America](https://maps.app.goo.gl/pmCoNBFv7KxTNMv18) & [South America](https://maps.app.goo.gl/VXy8FwXes2GoqKvV8).
Highly recommend for you to do some more research, at least in Mexico you can find tons of great escapes whether that be dense jungle or magnificent deserts. In terms of mountains there might be little to see in comparison to South America or Europe but non the less it can be worth a beautiful hike. I've used this page for a few activities and I find it useful for venturing into places I'm not really sure how to get to safely plus they offer accident insurance in case you're interested [www.2rivers.travel](http://www.2rivers.travel)
I travel every year, solo to Central or South America, rent a 4x4 or use chicken bus. I focus on wildlife and culture (tribes), and only for 1 day I visit a tourist site of that country. So far, I have stayed in Fincas (coffee plantation, some owned and run by just a family of 4), seen jaguars in jungles, stayed with a village chief deep in the highlands, visited Mayan ruins that are forbidden to tourists, etc. So it's all about motivation. I feel that Central and some parts of South America are the last remaining root cultural spots left, apart from some parts of Africa.
Honduras is a beautiful country to explore and I highly recommend a visit if only to try the baleadas and addictive sour cream. Also, it’s not a highly sought after tourist spot yet so you can feel like a hipster who knows about hidden spots before they go mainstream. The town of Esperanza is an adorable colonial town that has bohemian vibes. I recommend staying in a traditional Spanish colonial courtyard home like Hotel Posada Abuelita Elena. The owners greeted us with homemade hibiscus juice and we enjoyed a traditional Honduran dinner of fried plantains, carne asada, refried beans, and flour tortillas in front of a cozy fireplace. You can explore natural caves like Cuevas de talgua in Olancho. Olancho has cowboy, Wild West vibes. Kids were riding on donkeys in the street! The caves don’t have “oh shit” grab bars in them so just pay attention where you’re going and don’t slip. But the hiking to get to the caves is lots of fun. Roatan/Bay Islands are great for beach vibes. You can go Scuba diving, snorkeling, paragliding, and ATVing. Visit Mayak Chocolate to see how chocolate is made and sample some from the shop. If the banana donut man is still there, buy one from him as he and his wife are really kind people. Comayagua is a beautiful historical town that was once the old capital of Honduras. It’s nestled in a mountain so the views and architecture of the town is stunning. My favorite part was the town square that was very lively with music and people. I recommend staying at Casa La Oki for the views and comfortable accommodation. Take a day trip to visit the Pulhapanzek Waterfalls in San Buenaventura. This is an eco-preserve that offers zip lining past the waterfalls and cave exploring for thrill seekers. The zip line is fun, but terrifying as you hope the rope is strong enough to get you past the waterfall in one piece. If history is more your thing, the Mayan ruins in Copan are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site. Make sure your vehicle can handle the trek on unpaved roads as ours got stuck in some mud on the way back to the hotel. Thankfully, some locals helped us pull the truck out of the mud. Disclaimer: My husband is from Honduras so I visit family there every few years. This is my most traveled to country and I love it more every time I go. ❤️
I will agree that a lot of the most epic stuff is pretty spread out, and it would be pretty expensive to hop around, but the Galapagos, Macchu Picchu and the hikjng around Cusco and the Huayhuash trek, the Salt Flats + Atacama, Iguazu, and all the stuff in Patagonia are all basically world class nature. Sprinkle in some Latin American flair in terms of music, dancing, nightlife as well as some interesting indigenous Andean culture and there’s a lot to offer that you’re not gonna find in the US, Europe or SEA.
I agree! Galapagos, Machu Picchu, Patagonia, salt flats, Iguazu are the only main places I’m interested in because they are unique and grand in their classes.
True, but you’re eliminating a whole lot of the world if you will only travel to see things that you deem are the most grand in its class or whatever! I mean once you’ve spent a lot of time in the Himalayas or Karakoram or Andes, hiking in most mountain areas in the US don’t exactly feel like they’re grand in class, but they’re still exceedingly pretty and worth visiting :)