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Alex Brown, aged 31, has toured all 12 countries on the continent and shares his insights here.
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From the planet’s biggest rainforest to premium steaks and historic civilizations, South America boasts a wealth of attractions.
However, where are its standout features – and where should you omit parts of your schedule?
To assist with your travel plans comes seasoned globetrotter Alex Brown, having set foot in each and every nation across the continent.
During an interview with MailOnline Travel, the 31-year-old British individual shares their thoughts on which of Africa’s 12 nations they prefer, identifies the most secure locations, and suggests a well-known site best avoided.
The best country
Alex, who has traveled to 73 different nations, considers Argentina as his top choice in South America, stating: “The country boasts some of the most stunning scenery globally. You have the glaciers in Patagonia, the Beagle Channel teeming with sea lions, and up north lies the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls—the biggest waterfall complex in the world.”
‘Buenos Aires (the capital city) boasts having the finest cuisine globally, as per my perspective. Their steaks are outstandingly delicious and surprisingly affordable. However, their economic situation isn’t very stable, leading to frequent price fluctuations; nonetheless, during my recent visit a couple of months back, an all-you-can-eat steak meal cost approximately £10.’
The safest countries
Alex has an additional rationale for why Argentina ought to be at the pinnacle of your must-visit list for South America.
It’s genuinely secure,” shares Alex. “You probably won’t encounter many issues there. This isn’t true for all countries in South America.
Regarding safety, the observant traveler also suggests visiting Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru.
The most dangerous countries
On the opposite side of the safety spectrum for Alex lie Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela. He elaborates, “While the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador remain quite secure, the rest of the country has become risky lately. There’s been a state of emergency declared because of conflicts between the administration and drug trafficking organizations.”
I was in Colombia for roughly six weeks without encountering any issues, but if you choose to stay in hostels, you will likely encounter someone who has experienced being robbed there at some point.
Even though Alex mentions that Venezuela has “grown much more secure” recently, he believes it’s still “certainly not for beginners.” He advises against visiting unless accompanied by someone who speaks fluent Spanish.
The most underrated country
If you want to explore an underappreciated destination, Alex considers Bolivia the most ‘underestimated’ country on the continent, and it offers great value for British travelers too.
He mentions, “Many U.S. travelers avoid visiting due to the $160/£120 fee required for a visa, unlike British visitors who enter without one. La Paz is indeed an intriguing city; additionally, you can visit El Alto, recognized as the highest urban area in the world. Cholitas wrestle here—while watching several matches might become monotonous over time, experiencing at least one match remains quite fascinating.”
‘Next up are the Uyuni salt flats, among the most incredible views globally. Additionally, we visited the Amazon where you can go boating along the river and witness waterfalls and caves.’
However, as Alex points out, although Bolivia typically doesn’t pose significant risks related to criminal activity, there remain hazards that travelers should be wary of.
In Bolivia, the genuine hazards lie with the road conditions,” explains Alex. “Traffic there is terrible.” He continues, “These routes twist through mountainous terrain without adhering to any safety regulations for excursions whatsoever. During my journey into the Amazon, I encountered peril when we were on foot; stepping out of our vessel, I plunged almost immediately waist-deep into thick muck. Apparently, our guide had experience dealing with such situations since he remained silent about it!
Alex notes: “We also consumed some sugar cane juice that was made in a tribal village in the Amazon. They served it in a container that likely wasn’t cleaned properly. The three of us who drank it ended up feeling rather unwell.”
Paraguay also gets an honorable mention as an ‘underappreciated destination.’ Alex shares, “While it lacks major tourist spots, you visit Paraguay for the culture. Additionally, there are excellent steak restaurants.”
The destination to avoid
So which nation should you skip on your bucket list? According to Alex, it’s Brazil, as he mentions ‘it failed to measure up.’
He clarifies: “We weren’t too impressed. We visited Florianópolis on the coastline; it’s known for fantastic beaches, yet we didn’t find this claim particularly valid. Many of these beaches seemed very commercialized and crowded. They lacked anything extraordinary.”
‘Sao Paolo follows next. The city has a rather grim atmosphere with little to offer visitors. Additionally, it comes with significant safety concerns. Within its bounds lies an area known as Cracolandia, named for the high number of drug users found there. These individuals wander around aimlessly, resembling something out of a horror scene; thus, it’s best avoided entirely. While they pose minimal threat directly, being in such surroundings can still make one feel uneasy. This location should definitely be steered clear of once night falls.’
In the meantime, Rio de Janeiro, which is Brazil’s premier tourist spot, failed to make an impression on Alex.
He states: “The area has a lot of criminal activity. Individuals have been injured by gunfire simply for mistakenly taking a wrong turn on the road. It’s best not to adorn jewelry there as it can draw unwanted attention.”
‘Copacabana Beach is often exaggerated, to tell you the truth. The sunrise around 5 AM can be pleasant, but once daylight arrives, it becomes extremely congested. Visitors put up tents and begin vending items, making it very overcrowded with little enjoyment to be found. Were it not for safety concerns, Rio could potentially make an appealing getaway; however, one frequently has to remain vigilant throughout their visit.’
Looking for additional insights from Alex? Check out his blog for tips and guidance.
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